These colossal underground mountain ranges, known as ultra-low velocity zones, have remained elusive until now, with seismic data finally shedding light on their existence and composition.
Scientists from Arizona State University have made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering mountains deep within the Earth that are three to four times taller than Mount Everest. According to the reports by NDTV, using seismology centers in Antarctica, the team identified these colossal mountain ranges, known as ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs), located at the boundary between the core and mantle, approximately 2,900 kilometers beneath the Earth's surface.
The existence of these enigmatic underground mountain-like structures had remained hidden until now, with earthquakes and atomic explosions providing the seismic data necessary for their detection. Estimated to be over 24 miles (38 kilometers) in height, these ULVZs surpass the surface elevation of Mount Everest by multiple folds.
Geophysicist Edward Garnero explained that through the analysis of seismic recordings from Antarctica, their imaging method revealed thin anomalous zones of material at the core-mantle boundary, suggesting the presence of mountains on the core itself, towering up to five times taller than Mount Everest.
Experts speculate that these ancient formations originated from oceanic crusts that were subducted into the Earth's interior. The sinking of tectonic plates to the core-mantle boundary caused the gradual spread and formation of a variety of structures, resulting in the creation of both mountains and blobs. These underground mountains are composed of ancient oceanic crust, a mixture of basalt rock and sediments from the ocean floor.