Ultra-low Velocity Zone: Latest Research Reveals Earth's Cryptic Features

new research has detect some of the most extreme feature of the Earth deep underground , know as extremist - low speed zone ( ULVZs ) , locate within the Earth 's lower_berth mantle near the core . These cryptic zone rich_person the ability to decelerate down Seismic wave by up to 50 percentage , departure expert perplex as to what they are make of and what function they play . geophysicist Michael Thorne from the University of Utah describe them as one of the most extreme feature inside the planet , with unanswered question see their beginning and composition.

research_worker have found these ULVZs near hot_spot in the Earth 's mantle , region where hot rock move upwards make volcanic island irons like Hawaii . While some believe ULVZs could be leftover of giant impactors from Earth 's early meteoroid barrage phase , Thorne propose they might be actively generate today . He speculate that these wave - deceleration structure could be compose of volcanic rock basalt , which form at mid - ocean ridge and thaw easily when pull into the mantle by subduction.

The survey of ULVZs is establish on the analysis of seismic wave , particularly the PKP wave generate by large earthquake . These wave travel through the mantle and can be decelerate down by ULVZs or other feature along the core - mantle boundary . Thorne and his team identify ULVZ signature across assorted region , include North America , North Africa , East Asia , Papua New Guinea , the Pacific Northwest , and the Western Pacific . understanding these zone could supply penetration into volcanic hot_spot and mantle dynamics , yet there are still many unanswered question surround them.

new findings propose that these ULVZs are widespread throughout the Earth 's mantle and can significantly decelerate down seismic wave . The research , print in the diary AGU Advances , concentrate on the designation of area in the deep mantle that change the speed of earthquake wave . By analyze data from deep earthquake near New Guinea , the research_worker found evidence of ULVZs in different parts of the universe , bespeak that they may play a crucial function in the Earth 's internal processes.

The presence of ULVZs in the lower_berth mantle raise intrigue question about their formation and impact on seismic activity . Thorne 's survey highlight the need for foster research to unravel the mystery of these wave - deceleration zone and their deduction for geologist perusal the Earth 's structure and dynamics . As scientist dig deeper into these extremist - low speed zone , they hope to addition a better understanding of volcanic hot_spot and the motion within the mantle , shedding light on the complexity of our planet 's inner workings.