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Scientists Obtain Deepest Rock Sample from Earth’s Mantle

Posted 10 Aug 2024

2 min read

An infographic image showing different layers in the interior of the Earth - namely Lithosphere (crust and upper most solid mantle), Mantle, and Core. Core has been further subdivided into outer core which is in liquid state and inner core which is in solid state.

 

Scientists on the US vessel JOIDES Resolution have drilled around 1.2 Kms meters below the Atlantis Massif, surpassing the previous drilling depth of 201 meters.

  • Mantle consisting of silicate rock makes up over 80% of Earth's volume is the mid layer of the earth (Refer infographic). 
  • Mantle rocks are usually inaccessible, except in areas of seafloor spreading, where Earth's tectonic plates slowly move apart. For example, the Atlantis Massif. 
    • Atlantis Massif is an underwater mountain near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. 

Key highlights 

  • Programme: Drilling was done under International Ocean Discovery Program (India is a funding partner).
  • Location: The drilling was done on the southern side of the Atlantis Massif, near the Lost City Hydrothermal Field. 
  • Sample recovered: The new rock sample contains over 70% rock. 
  • Significance: 
    • Samples helps us understand 
      • upper mantle's composition 
      • chemical reactions between these rock and seawater over a range of temperatures
        • These processes might have played a role in the origin of life on Earth billions of years ago. 
    • Also, previous drilling was not deep enough to look for organisms such as heat-loving bacteria that might dwell farther down. 
  • Tags :
  • Earth’s Mantle
  • IODP
  • Deep sea drilling
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