A groundbreaking geological discovery beneath Bermuda has uncovered a 20-kilometre-thick layer of rock that is unlike anything elsewhere on Earth. Identified from seismic data by researchers at Carnegie Science and Yale University, this dense but lightweight layer lies wedged between the crust and the tectonic plate beneath the island.
The finding challenges conventional ideas about volcanic island formation and provides new insight into the remains of ancient tectonic and volcanic activity.
What is the Discovery
Using seismic waves generated by earthquakes, researchers mapped Bermuda’s interior and found this strange geological feature. This layer-between oceanic crust and the tectonic plate beneath-was extraordinarily thick and different from normal mantle material.
Its discovery was detailed in Geophysical Research Letters and underlines just how special Bermuda is geologically.
Connection to Volcanic History
Experts believe the layer is a remnant of ancient volcanic activity, possibly tied to the break-up of the supercontinent Pangea. William Frazer of Carnegie Science, lead author, explained that while typical oceanic crust is underlain by mantle, Bermuda’s crust is supported by this additional volcanic material.
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The leftover rock adds to the elevated seafloor in the region, rising about 500 metres above the surrounding Atlantic.
Geological Consequence
It challenges the conventional model of how volcanic oceanic islands are created, because of the layer’s existence. According to Sarah Mazza, a geologist not directly involved in the research, residual volcanic material could help explain why Bermuda has such high-relief ocean floor despite the absence of recent eruptions.
This extreme geological environment may help researchers with discriminating between ordinary and extraordinary processes shaping Earth’s crust.
Bermuda Triangle & Myths
While Bermuda is famously located within the Bermuda Triangle-an area linked to ship and aircraft disappearances the new discovery does not explain these mysteries.
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The rock layer is strictly a geological phenomenon. Researchers emphasize that the findings provide scientific insight into Earth’s volcanic and tectonic history, rather than into any supernatural activity.
What are the Future Research
The research team hopes that this will extend the possibility of similar structures being present under other islands, too. Such studies may change the understanding of scientists in regard to the formation of volcanic islands and give a wider sense of the tectonic development of Earth.
Frazer emphasized that investigating such extreme sites as Bermuda helps explain both normal and unusual geological processes around the world.
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