Weekly science updates: Remarkable 'anti-aging' properties discovered in certain mushrooms and astonishing new records set for internet speeds
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified the primary cause of large-scale volcanic eruptions, such as those linked to mass extinctions, as mantle plumes rising from enormous underground structures known as BLOBS (Big Lower-mantle Basal Structures) [1][2][3].
Located at the base of the Earth's mantle, approximately 1,500–3,000 kilometers below the surface, BLOBS are massive, continent-sized regions of anomalous material that differ in composition from the surrounding mantle and are significantly hotter [1][2][3]. There are two main BLOBS: one beneath Africa and another beneath the Pacific Ocean [1][2].
The connection between BLOBS and volcanic eruptions lies in the mantle plumes that rise from them. These giant columns of hot rock originate deep within the Earth and transport vast amounts of magma to the surface, fuelling colossal eruptions capable of reshaping landscapes and climates on a global scale [1][2]. As BLOBS move slowly over geological timescales, they can generate new plumes, leading to massive volcanic events when they reach the crust [1][3].
While the link between BLOBS, mantle plumes, and surface volcanism is now well-established, some details about BLOB composition and dynamics remain areas of active research [2]. Scientists rely on advanced computer modeling and indirect geological evidence to understand these processes, as direct observation is impossible due to the timescales involved, which span hundreds of millions of years.
In summary, enormous underground BLOBS are indeed a major driver of the largest volcanic eruptions on Earth, acting as deep-seated sources for the mantle plumes that fuel these catastrophic events [1][2][3].
Meanwhile, stargazers are advised to watch for the Perseids meteor shower before the moon ruins the show, and scientists are investigating the possibility that magnetic crystals from lost civilizations could hold the key to understanding Earth's weakening magnetic field.
References: [1] http://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00766-9 [2] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210706111149.htm [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00765-0 [4] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210706111149.htm
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