Indian Ocean Gravity Hole Might Have Been Formed After the Death of an Ancient Ocean

An enormous area within the Indian Ocean, referred to as the “gravity gap,” has intrigued scientists since its discovery in 1948. Located within the Laccadive Sea, southwest of India, this round space experiences considerably weaker gravitational pull, inflicting sea ranges to drop by an astounding 348 ft in comparison with surrounding areas. Spanning 1.2 million sq. miles, the anomaly has lengthy puzzled geophysicists, who just lately made progress in uncovering its origins.

Formation Linked to Prehistoric Ocean Tethys

Research published in Geophysical Research Letters in 2023 has traced the gravity gap’s formation to occasions occurring over 100 million years in the past. The historical ocean Tethys, which existed between the supercontinents Laurasia and Gondwana, performed a central position. According to Dr. Attreyee Ghosh, Associate Professor on the Indian Institute of Science and the co-author of the examine, fragments of Tethys’ oceanic crust descended into the Earth’s mantle when Gondwana started to separate aside 180 million years in the past.

As these fragments sank deeper over thousands and thousands of years, denser supplies from the African area of the mantle had been displaced. Simulations carried out utilizing 19 pc fashions counsel that low-density magma plumes rose to exchange the denser materials, successfully lowering the mass beneath the Indian Ocean and creating the geoid low.

Verification of Findings Pending

While the examine provides a compelling rationalization, extra proof is required to substantiate the findings. Earthquake knowledge is being thought of to confirm the presence of low-density plumes beneath the area. Scientists like Dr. Ghosh acknowledge the complexity of Earth’s mantle dynamics, as comparable anomalies have been noticed globally, revealing the intricate processes throughout the planet’s inside.

Relevance to Planetary Science

The discovery highlights the broader significance of finding out subsurface phenomena for Earth and different planets. Similar mantle constructions have been noticed beneath Mars, underscoring the common nature of geological processes shaping planetary our bodies. This analysis continues to make clear the forces that form Earth’s distinctive topography, with ongoing research providing a glimpse into the planet’s enigmatic inside.