BLOBS 1,500 Miles into Earth’s Mantle May Cause Massive Volcanic Eruptions on the Surface
The massive eruptions of volcanoes – the type that may have contributed to the fall of dinosaurs – are caused by Blobs?
The large basal structures of the lower mantle (Blobs) are mantle plumes which rise while the underground mountain chains move, leading to massive eruptions on the surface of the earth. A new study in Earth and Environment Communications Helps researchers to better understand the evolution of the land and provides new information on the location of minerals below the surface of the earth that these eruptions have created.
“This research opens up one of the questions that have been turning on scientists for a long time – are the stationary or mobile blobs and how they relate to giant volcanic explosions – it is therefore a pleasure to be finally to disentangle these mysteries”, the associate professor Nicolas Flament of the research group on the environment of the UOW’s Futures’s said in a press release.
Blobs and massive volcanic eruptions
For this study, researchers from the University of Wollongong (UOW) examined two blobs located at around 1,500 feet below the surface of the earth. For years, researchers have debated the question of whether these blobs – one under Africa, the other under the Pacific Ocean – have moved or stayed there, and how these Magma plumes contributed to massive volcanic eruptions. Now science finally knows.
The results show that these blobs move, although very slowly over millions of years, leading to massive eruptions.
“Search for relations between volcanic eruptions on the surface with dynamic processes also on a large scale occurring by 2500 km [1500 miles] Below our feet puts in perspective how interconnected our planet is, “said Doctoral candidate Annalized Cucchiaro in a press release.” This work highlights the importance of the mantle plumes to act as “ magma highways ” on the surface, creating these giant eruptions. It also shows that these plumes move with their source, the Blobs. “”
Learn more:: While glaciers withdraw, powerful volcanoes can break out more frequently on the planet
FUNTURE FUTURE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
To find these results, the research team has rebuilt the convection of the mantle a billion years ago, according to the press release. Since the reconstruction, the study team has noted that eruptions had occurred above or near Blobs. They also noted that the plume of the mantle tilted slowly as it rose.
The team also used computer models to determine that current volcanic hot spots, such as those in Hawaii, were once close to Blobs when they moved millions of years ago.
With this information, researchers now have a better understanding of the movements of the Earth’s mantle. This can also help researchers better predict and follow volcanic activity in the future.
Blobs with diamonds
In addition to following the mantle’s plume movement, the research team has also rebuilt the pieces of the past of the earth, including the way some minerals, such as diamonds, made their way to the surface during an eruption.
“Giant volcanic eruptions have spectacular impacts on life on earth. They can destroy life, such as dinosaurs, but also form rock formations that contain significant minerals,” added in the press release.
Thanks to this research, the team will help open doors to new possible minerals that are formed from volcanic eruptions. Their next step is to study the chemical nature of Blobs.
Find out more: 5 of the most explosive volcanic eruptions
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A graduate of UW-Whitewater, Monica wrote for several organizations, including one-focused bees and the natural world, before coming to Discover Magazine. His current work also appears on his travel blog and his Common State magazine. His love of science came to watch PBS shows like a child with his mother and spend too much time to expire Doctor Who.
