Scientists discover massive ocean of water 400 miles underground

The Verge ^ | June 14, 2014 2:20am | Kwame Opam

[blueplum]

Researchers at Northwestern University have found evidence for a massive reservoir of water deep within the Earth's mantle. The reservoir, which is said to be three times the volume of the oceans on the surface, is contained within highly-pressurized rock known as ringwoodite. The scientists hope that their findings, recently published in the journal Science, can shed light on where Earth's oceans came from.

THREE TIMES THE VOLUME OF THE OCEANS ON EARTH'S SURFACE

The team, led by mineralogist Steven Jacobsen, used an array of 2000 seismometers to study how seismic waves generated by earthquakes move through the Earth's interior. The waves' speed changed depending on the type of rock they pass through, and wet ringwoodite has a particular effect on wave velocity. Jacobsen was able to reproduce

[blueplum]

I wonder what critters are swimming around down there? How do we tap it? would the water be salty or fresh?

[blueplum]

courtesy ping :)

[Vendome]

We should empty it....

[C210N]

Water water under everywhere, but not a drop of it to drink.

[Steely Tom]

It’s where all the global warming has been disappearing to.

[SampleMan]

If this is true, then something down there has to be a lot denser than we thought, as the calculated of mass of the Earth is a given (orbital calculation).

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I bet it's a lot more than three times the surface ocean volume.

The oceans are just a thin sheet of water on a huge globe.

[Norm Lenhart]

How is it water at that temp to begin with? That is a damn hot space to be in. Plate tectonics anyone?

[PGR88]

Once again, humans know so little about our world, particularly what lies beneath the surface - and yet the dupes among are so sure they can calculate all sources of CO2 and the effects it has on the atmosphere....

[TRY ONE]

So that’s where Global Warming is coming from: An Underground Hot Water Bottle!

[Oliviaforever]

Noah’s Ocean.

[NEMDF]

Maybe they should look for Malaysia Flight 370 in there?

[Tijeras_Slim]

In New Mexico we call that a shallow well.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Boy wait till this water mixes with the global warming water an like totally floods the planet...bwahahahaha...Freegards
LEX

[DouglasKC]

The fountains of the deep...the bible is right again.

[SampleMan]

Of course, this can’t be true, as the settled science before this research occurred doesn’t support it.

[Puppage]

Global watering?

[Vigilanteman]

400 miles is one hell of a lot of pipe. But we should start by replenishing the Oglala Aquifer.

[Political Junkie Too]

Has the EPA claimed jurisdiction over this water yet?

-PJ

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

Maybe the Fremen dwell there! ;-)