The intense study of the Earth's interior has been a fascinating topic for scientists and geologists for decades. We know that volcanoes on our planet originate from the force of the magma that rise from the mantle to the surface, but the real mystery is how exactly they form and why they appear in certain places.
The first 3D map of the Earth's interior
Recently, scientists have achieved a milestone: for the first time, a three-dimensional map detailed view of the Earth's interior using analysis of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. This has opened a window into a world hidden beneath our feet, showing us how magma flows through the mantle, the layer of semi-solid material between the Earth's crust and core.
Seismographic data have allowed us to model the Earth's mantle in a way never seen before, showing that magma pathways are not linear. Instead of rising directly from the depths to the surface, magma follows complex paths around areas of dense rock and other geological obstacles. This explains why volcanoes often arise in seemingly random places.
The three-dimensional map accurately reveals the flow of magma from the Gutenberg discontinuityThis boundary, located between the outer core and the lower mantle, plays a crucial role in the rise of magma that feeds the volcanoes on the surface.
Volcanic columns and the path of magma
Instead of thinking of the rise of magma as a straight line, the new map shows that the volcanic columns take much more complex trajectories. These columns are formed by accumulations of magma that are grouped into giant pockets of hot rock inside the cloak.
Recent analysis has shown that the magma in these columns is much hotter, reaching temperatures up to 400°C higher to the surrounding rock. This temperature difference causes a constant search for routes to the surface. The magma paths branch out, resembling the root system of a tree, before the magma manages to make its way to the volcanoes we see in the Earth's crust.
However, some mysteries still persist. The map has not been able to link all magma plumes to specific volcanoes. A notable case is that of the yellowstone volcano, where the current 3D model has not yet been able to identify a clear connection between the source of the magma and the observed volcanic activity.
The role of earthquakes in mapping the Earth's interior
Earthquakes, despite their devastating impact on the surface, act as extremely useful tools for geologists. When an earthquake occurs, the seismic waves They spread vital information about the Earth's internal structure.
Using seismic tomography systems, which operate in a similar way to CT scans used in hospitals, scientists have been able to map the Earth's interior with unprecedented resolution. QUEST project, backed by the European Union, is one of the key projects in this area, using seismographs strategically placed around the world to record these waves and create a clear image of the Earth's mantle.
During large earthquakes, such as the 2010 Chile earthquake or the 2011 Japan earthquake, enough seismic waves were generated to provide a wealth of data that allowed scientists to fine-tune their three-dimensional models. These models not only show the structure of the Earth, but also help detect magma reservoirs, subduction zones and tectonic plates.
The synthetic seismographic waves play a crucial role in the simulation and continuous adjustment of these maps. These waves are generated from mathematical models that reflect actual seismic motion, allowing researchers to compare the results to known seismic events to refine the accuracy of the map.
Earth layers: a high-update model
Advances in supercomputing technology, coupled with more accurate seismic models, have allowed scientists to map the Earth's inner layers with unprecedented accuracy. The Earth is made up of several layers: the Cortex’s most emblematic landmarks, the mantle’s most emblematic landmarks, the external nucleus and the inner core.
La Earth crust is where we live, it is the thinnest layer of the planet with a thickness that ranges between 5 and 70 kilometers. Under the crust, the mantle extends to a depth of about 2.900 kilometers. Beneath the mantle, the external nucleus It is composed of molten iron and surrounds the inner core, which is a solid sphere of pure iron.
It is thanks to seismic waves that these layers can be studied with precision and that the magma that gives rise to volcanoes originates in the mantle, in the part closest to the outer core. This magma slowly rises towards the crust, accumulating in underground chambers before erupting on the surface.
Advances in supercomputing in geological research
In recent years, the use of supercomputers has revolutionized the way we understand the interior of the Earth. Powerful equipment such as the supercomputer Titan, from Princeton University, have been instrumental in refining global models of seismic waves.
The work led by Jeroen Tromp and his team has pioneered the use of 3D seismic simulations, which not only map tectonic plates and hot spots, but also provide detailed information on the mantle fluidityThe team has developed innovative techniques such as anisotropic inversions, which allow to better capture the different orientations and flow of magma within the mantle.
These advances not only have implications for scientific understanding, but could also help predict volcanic eruptions and earthquakes more accurately, saving lives in the process.
The development of these three-dimensional models continues. With each recorded earthquake and each improvement in computer technology, scientists come closer to understanding more details about the dynamics of the Earth's interior and the processes that cause natural disasters on the surface.