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.
"Experts say there is a one in 700,000 annual chance of a volcanic eruption at the site."
I'm not going to sweat this one. Just wondering how much money, and whose, was spent on this interesting study of dubious use to anybody.
Tap into it and use it to build the wall.
can you imagine all the carbon credits Algore could sell? It boggles one’s mind!
One more discovery of something that has been a fact since eons ago. Now a certain segment of our populace will fixate on it and we’re on to the next dire calamity prediction.
Gag me...
Paging Al Gore... paging Al Gore..., please pick up the puce global calamity hot line...
Does this mean that SUVs can be found in the earths mantle?
Outlaw Volcanoes, problem solved.
And might this carbon be combining with the other most common element in the universe, hydrogen, to create hydrocarbons such as gas and oil?
Dinosaurs.. lol
I believe all congress persons and their staff should be sent there immediately to study this phenomena. They can travel by deep - earth tunnels as suggested by tesla ‘ s musk.
We just need a molten carbon tax surcharge on top of the Climate Change carbon tax.
Then we need only invest the tax proceeds into growing more weed so that we don’t care what happens.
But it will never fly because, from the leftist point of view, Homo Sapiens covered in molten carbon will usher in the end of all human life, thus solving all problems at once. Brilliant!
So, nothing man can do can stop evil carbon? Not even paying higher taxes!
Soooo, this CO2 effects climate change? If not, why not?
I would guess that molten carbon , if released to the surface and cooled, would just solidify to graphite. but then again I am not a carbophobe.
Another think to worry about for those without enough.
We just discovered its existence, so it must be an imminent threat. Hey, it worked with the ozone hole.
Can we build the Wall out of it? /kidding
So, is there also a massive amount of compressed oxygen the size of Mexico down there ready to combine with this supposed molten carbon?
I didn’t think so. And I don’t believe this massive amount of molten carbon exists as postulated.
Puce? I thought it was mauve.
What was the level of o2 in the air before k2?
31%
What is it now?
21%
What was it right after k2?
Perhaps 11% ?
If you set the world on fire, all the oxygen gets locked up in the fire. That becomes a problem.
One burp from Yellowstone, and the game is up. So don’t park your SUV there.
It looks like a Hopi dancer.
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