Oceans in the Depths of the Earth

 

It is not the familiar oceans and seas that constitute approximately three-quarters of the Earth’s surface; rather, it is the oceans hidden deep within the Earth. Scientists have recently made a remarkable discovery: within the mineral ringwoodite, which contains water, lies an immense reservoir of water near the Earth’s core. Astonishingly, this subterranean water volume surpasses the amount of water found in all the Earth’s oceans combined.

 

Blue ringwoodite, a water-bearing mineral.

 

These confinement rocks form a cloak separating the hot lower scarf from the layers of the earth that surround its core and the cold upper scarf that follows above the stone cloak from the upper part at a depth of 410-660 km below the earth's surface:

 

 

Transition hydrous zone in the depth of Earth

 

Many scientists believe that the Earth's abundant water supply originated from the impact of comets and meteorites during its early formation. These celestial bodies carried water from the sky and deposited it on the young Earth, which had not yet solidified. Over millions of years, this water descended into the depths of the planet, where it remained trapped due to intense heat and pressure. Comets, known to contain a substantial amount of water, played a significant role in contributing to Earth's water reserves.

Some scientists think that water was present when the Earth first formed from rock and dust. Some water molecules adhered to dust particles and withstood the solar system's heat.

 

Researchers used more than 2,000 seismometers, which are frequently used to explore deep-earth components, mineral resources like oil and gas, identify and track groundwater reservoirs, to investigate the water reservoirs deep within the Earth, based on the fact that seismic waves travel through the ground at varying speeds depending on the components of each layer.

Scientists have registered waves from more than 500 earthquakes, which spread deep into the Earth and its nucleus making the rock masses buzz like giant bell for a few days after the tremor, so they could tell the speed of the waves of buzz. By measuring the speed of the buzz waves, scientists can find out what types of rocks the waves passed through: the speed of the waves slows as they pass through a water layer that lies between the rocks, making it easy to determine the depth of water reservoirs and abundance of water at those depths.

These investigations have shown that the depth of Ringwoodite is about 700 km below the Earth's surface, and the pressure and heat there are suitable for water to form with its known chemical components.

These findings have solved another major mystery that has puzzled scientists for many years about the persistence of ocean water on earth over millions of years, with recent studies showing that there is a connection between deep earth water and ocean waters that stabilizes the characteristics of these oceans.^[1]

Water is held in a crystal structure at these depths and only appears in its normal form when it approaches the earth's surface due to continental movements that reduce the influence of its deep detention under high pressure and temperature.

While Islamic literature does not explicitly address this scientific discovery, it's remarkable how modern research continues to unveil hidden aspects of our planet's composition. The Quran itself encourages exploration and understanding of the natural world, emphasizing the signs of God's creation. As we delve deeper into Earth's mysteries, we gain a greater appreciation for the intricate balance that sustains life on our remarkable planet. 

 

 

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[1] . University of Alberta, “Water-Rich Gem Points to Vast ‘Oceans’ Beneath Earth’s Surface, Study Suggests,” Science Daily, March 12, 2014, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140312150229.htm.