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.
That sounds like a bomb of a theory to me, but what do I know.
I had just never thought of it as a reactor, God’s reactor covered with enough shielding that humans can thrive. Oh, what a fortunate accident.
That certainly would melt lower than carbon at its triple point.
A marvelously miraculous arrangement.
It all got (according to standard theories) cooked up in stars and then condensed into our earth.
The classic bible creation account timetable might not be based on physical universe time, but on some sort of heaven time. Even now, a creator agent inertial frame that was moving swiftly enough would be able to account for the discrepancy through the standard theory of relativity. What we thought was a statically earth-centric universe turned out to be something that is whirling and tumbling around in many ways.
Where do you think all that “sweet crude” is made? Right there under the Earth’s crust. The “abiotic theory of oil” maintains that oil is constantly being manufactured under the crust, while the “peak theory of oil” tells this unbelievable yarn that oil came from dinosaurs and there is only so much, once it is gone it is gone. So pay dearly for it at the pump.
These data is pointing to the idea that there is a vast amount of carbon down there, and when it is subjected to intense temperatures and pressures in the presence of oxygen and hydrogen produces hydro-carbons....a renewable resource.
WE ALL GONNA DIE!
Sorry. I was an extra in a disaster movie once and that was my line and I never got over it.
Too me it looks like a boxing Kangaroo
Well..., higher taxes MIGHT work...
Democrats: Lets try that!
Republicans: We better go along...
Trump: No freakin way!
LOL
Worked with el Nino and el Nina too.
For a while there they couldn’t even present a weather segment without blaming everything on one or the other.
Root Beer Ocean.....Love it!
Yeah, one of those... “:^)
Educate me. What do you mean by “before K2”? Is this a reference to the tectonic events that formed the K2 peak and the Himalayan range?
K-T boundary, I think. When the meteor crashed into Yucatan.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/events/cowen1b.html
The molten carbon would have to be cooled in an oxygen free environment. Otherwise, it would react with the oxygen and form carbon dioxide. Molten carbon is hot. - at least 6422 degrees Fahrenheit.
The spinning nickel - iron core is what generates earth’s magnetic field.
anthropomorphic global warming
Turns it’s not caused by man,
It’s caused by Mother Earth.
like banning people from farting in a hurricane.
= = =
In CA, the smog rules are making Rural fire departments upgrade their fire trucks. At much cost.
To stop a little alleged smog on those occasions when they travel out into the smoke to fight a fire.
is molten carbon a fancy word for oil?
el Nina
= = =
I see you have gone bilingual in the transgender pronoun business.
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