Posted on 04/30/2017 8:38:09 PM PDT by shove_it
A huge well of molten carbon that would spell disaster for the planet if released has been found under the US.
Scientists using the world's largest array of seismic sensors have mapped a deep-Earth area, covering 700,000 sq miles (1.8 million sq km).
This is around the size of Mexico, and researchers say it has the potential to cause untold environmental damage. The discovery could change our understanding of how much carbon the Earth contains, suggesting it is much more than we previously believed.
It would be impossible to drill far enough down to physically 'see' the Earth's mantle, so a team of researchers used a massive group of sensors to paint a picture of it, using mathematical equations to interpret their results.
The study, conducted by geologists at Royal Holloway University in London, used a huge network of 583 seismic sensors that measure the Earth's vibrations, to create a picture of the area's deep sub surface.
Known as the upper mantle, this section of the Earth's interior is known for by its high temperatures where solid carbonates melt, creating distinctive seismic patterns.
What they found was a vast buried deposit of molten carbon, which produces carbon dioxide and other gases, situated under the Western US, 217 miles (350km) beneath the Earth's surface. As a result of this study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison.
The deep carbon reservoir discovered will eventually make its way to the surface through volcanic eruptions and contribute to climate change albeit very slowly, but a sudden release could have dire consequences.
Dr Sash Hier-Majumder of the University of London's Department of Earth Sciences led the study. He said: 'The residence time of this carbon in the mantle is relatively large (nearly 1 billion years), so this reserve is not an imminent threat.'
'But one important mechanism by which carbon, sinking into the mantle via a subducting oceanic plate, can make it's way back to the surface is by arc volcanism.'
'Arc volcanism returns between 30-40% of the total subducted carbon back into the atmosphere. The remaining carbon stays in the mantle for a much longer.'
He added: 'We might not think of the deep structure of the Earth as linked to climate change above us, but this discovery not only has implications for subterranean mapping but also for our future atmosphere,'
'For example, releasing only one per cent of this CO2 into the atmosphere will be the equivalent of burning 2.3 trillion barrels of oil.'
'The existence of such deep reservoirs show how important is the role of deep Earth in the global carbon cycle.' As a result of this study, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison. The area covered by the study includes Yellowstone National Park, where previous research has uncovered evidence of a supervolcano which could also spell danger for the planet.
The volcano at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana sits atop a huge reserve of molten rock and last erupted 640,000 years ago.
It releases around 45,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each day. If it were to erupt, it would be one thousand times as powerful as the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption and have the potential to blanket the US in a 'nuclear winter'.
While it has lain dormant for more than 70,000 years, scientists say that we can't rule out the possibility eruption this may some day take place - although they say the chances are extremely slim.
The Grand Prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park is among the park's many hydrothermal features created by the Yellowstone supervolcano.
Experts say there is a one in 700,000 annual chance of a volcanic eruption at the site.
Is Elon Musk a Nutbag or not?
We met some of their “Cultists” in BVI last year.
They were like Jonestown crazy,
.
I truly feared for these young Millenials. So without a clue.
“where is the $ coming from?”
Cultists think it comes from Elon.
Tesla is a joke.
Hot carbon meeting water (which is where most hydrogen on earth is) produces a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. If this stuff welled up under the sea we might die of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Soviets figured that out decades ago.
They are discussing the eventual eruption of Yellowstone which would have devastating consequences for human life and property ... and yet their focus is on “climate change”. :-)
We are all going to die... so what?
Indeed this is a mortal coil.
“Molten carbon”???
Never heard of it. The closest thing I know about is tar, or creosote...both of them compounds.
If you try to melt carbon, it ignites. I suppose if you could heat it in the absolute absence of any other element...it might go to the liquid state.
Carbon likes to form strong bonds with other elements. I fear that the crystalline structure of granite, which is made of silicone, reacting with the molten carbon, may well form dilithium crystals.
Don't forget about the sodium in the sea salt. The ocean water may turn into a carbonated beverage.
A monoxide fizzy soda! Why not.
At atmospheric pressure, carbon would go from solid to gas. It needs to be compressed (which it apparently is, under the earth’s crust) to be liquid.
If it vented, we’d get some humongous flames.
That sure is lot of dead dinosaurs.
Melted dead dinosaur farts, or something like that.
Of hydrochloric acid.
You know, when the o2 level was 31%, dragonflies had a four-foot wingspan, and bats were the size of leer jets.
Perhaps we could start an AlGore movement, “Stop the Global Climate Change - Stop The Rise of Oxygen! Or GIANT bugs will get you! And bury you in a box!”
Oldoinyo Lengai Is the only place on the planet where carbonate heavy lava erupts. Mantle carbonate rich material has not an iotas chance of erupting in the US unless a BIG nickel-iron meteor strikes the area at 10’s of miles per second.
It won’t be very fish friendly, whatever it is
You jest, but that’s actually the upshot of a boost of carbon dioxide (if it were real). The green plants go YUMMIES and they put out oxygen in the sunlight.
Given current levels of solar radiation and vegetation, that’s what we’d get.
Forward this to algore.
LOT OF THAT stuff, and fortunately, I’m miles from it. At least 30. So I’m just not going to worry.
Yeah, I wanted to ping you to this - I find it funny.
Hey, if there was water on Mars, where did the air go? The pressure is below the triple point.
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