Posted on 04/30/2017 8:38:09 PM PDT by shove_it
A huge well of molten carbon that would spell disaster for the planet if released has been found under the US.
Scientists using the world's largest array of seismic sensors have mapped a deep-Earth area, covering 700,000 sq miles (1.8 million sq km).
This is around the size of Mexico, and researchers say it has the potential to cause untold environmental damage. The discovery could change our understanding of how much carbon the Earth contains, suggesting it is much more than we previously believed.
It would be impossible to drill far enough down to physically 'see' the Earth's mantle, so a team of researchers used a massive group of sensors to paint a picture of it, using mathematical equations to interpret their results.
The study, conducted by geologists at Royal Holloway University in London, used a huge network of 583 seismic sensors that measure the Earth's vibrations, to create a picture of the area's deep sub surface.
Known as the upper mantle, this section of the Earth's interior is known for by its high temperatures where solid carbonates melt, creating distinctive seismic patterns.
What they found was a vast buried deposit of molten carbon, which produces carbon dioxide and other gases, situated under the Western US, 217 miles (350km) beneath the Earth's surface. As a result of this study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison.
The deep carbon reservoir discovered will eventually make its way to the surface through volcanic eruptions and contribute to climate change albeit very slowly, but a sudden release could have dire consequences.
Dr Sash Hier-Majumder of the University of London's Department of Earth Sciences led the study. He said: 'The residence time of this carbon in the mantle is relatively large (nearly 1 billion years), so this reserve is not an imminent threat.'
'But one important mechanism by which carbon, sinking into the mantle via a subducting oceanic plate, can make it's way back to the surface is by arc volcanism.'
'Arc volcanism returns between 30-40% of the total subducted carbon back into the atmosphere. The remaining carbon stays in the mantle for a much longer.'
He added: 'We might not think of the deep structure of the Earth as linked to climate change above us, but this discovery not only has implications for subterranean mapping but also for our future atmosphere,'
'For example, releasing only one per cent of this CO2 into the atmosphere will be the equivalent of burning 2.3 trillion barrels of oil.'
'The existence of such deep reservoirs show how important is the role of deep Earth in the global carbon cycle.' As a result of this study, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison. The area covered by the study includes Yellowstone National Park, where previous research has uncovered evidence of a supervolcano which could also spell danger for the planet.
The volcano at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana sits atop a huge reserve of molten rock and last erupted 640,000 years ago.
It releases around 45,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each day. If it were to erupt, it would be one thousand times as powerful as the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption and have the potential to blanket the US in a 'nuclear winter'.
While it has lain dormant for more than 70,000 years, scientists say that we can't rule out the possibility eruption this may some day take place - although they say the chances are extremely slim.
The Grand Prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park is among the park's many hydrothermal features created by the Yellowstone supervolcano.
Experts say there is a one in 700,000 annual chance of a volcanic eruption at the site.
Pre-historic SUVs, that’s the explanation.
Superman turned lumps of coal into actual diamonds just by squeezing them real hard in his hands.
-—where solid carbonates melt-—
So, the molten substance is not carbon but carbon compounds. A very carbon compound found on the surface, that is in fact the surface is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is ordinary limestone.
The article is fake science and basically hogwash with numbers
Just more proof that the Earth is beyond us puny humans and will do what she will do in spite of those who would subjugate her...
Of course it’s underground. No mention of leakage.
Cletus gave his lovely Lurlene one of those for our 30th Anniversary of Shacking-up.
Don’t tell her that...she thinks it is another kind of carbon crystal.
Pencil shortage solved!
So it’s molten carbon because it is closer to the earth’s hot core. If it comes up what happens? Cools and turns to coal? What is the mechanism that turns it into carbon dioxide? Oh yeah, the addition of politics.
Molten carbon?is that just short of being a liquified hydrocarbon?If so we need to start drilling immediately.
We’ll be able to take over the oil markets and drive prices to reasonable levels.
Though government will increase taxes to keep those prices even higher.
When hydrogen and carbon monoxide comes across heated iron it forms oil. It was how Germany made its fuel for world War II.
It will come up out of the ground in an oozing black mess. We better capture it an burn it or we will all drown...
- women, BLT’s,& minorites to be hurt the most
Bottom line, carbon is a natural part of the environment.
Duh.
Well, when all the Oregon and Washington barking-moonbats fall into the "Lake of Fire"...they're all loaded with lithium to treat their various psychotic disorders.
Reducing the pressure would allow part of the reservoir to evaporate, cooling the larger bulk remaining at the site of a leak.
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!
Wikipedia gives a list of isotope half-lives, many very brief but no few of them ranging into the millions - some into the billions - of years.Apparently all those isotopes throw off enough heat to maintain quite a large fraction of the earth’s interior in a molten state, roughly equaling the heat transferred to the surface through the “frozen” crust we live on, and into space.
I venture the guess that a smaller planet with the same initial isotope concentrations in it would be less likely to have a molten core.
“molten carbon”???
That sounds like a big huge lake of oil to me!!!
Sweet!!! (-:
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