Indian scientists have discovered a giant anomaly in the Indian Ocean. This anomaly is called a “gravity hole”, which is a large dent in the gravitational field and it covers more than three million square kilometers of ocean. This mysterious phenomenon is also known as the Indian Ocean Geoid Low, or IOGL, where Earth’s gravity is significantly lower than the global average. Low gravity caused the seabed to sink about 106 meters.
According to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, it is said that there is a giant “hole” in the Indian Ocean due to the Earth’s gravity in this area being very low.#UPSC2023 #upc pic.twitter.com/ialmoXKQJX
– Sudarshan Gurjar (@SudarshanGeo)
July 6, 2023
This gravitational anomaly has puzzled scientists from around the world for years. Recent studies conducted show that researchers now have a reasonable scientific explanation as to what causes this gravity hole.
Two researchers from the Indian Institute of Science’s Center for Earth Sciences, Debanjan Pal and Attreyee Ghosh, offered an explanation.
Two researchers reconstructed plate tectonic movements over the past 140 million years and conducted computer simulations to trace the origin of the gravitational anomaly. According to Pal and Ghosh’s research, also published in ‘Geophysical Research Letters’, IOGL is the result of a mass deficit in the Earth’s mantle beneath the Indian Ocean. Through their research, they discovered that about 30 million years ago, the remains of an ancient sea called the Tethys Sea, sank beneath Africa, creating what is now known as the “slab graveyard.” Pieces of the oceanic plate sink below the African surface into the mantle, the layer below the Earth’s crust. This creates a strong downward movement of molten rock in the mantle. To balance this downward motion, hotter and lighter mantle currents began to rise from beneath the Indian Ocean.
The eruption of these hot plumes began about 20 million years ago. As jets of gas move beneath the Lithosphere, Earth’s outer layer, and approach the Indian peninsula, gravitational anomalies become stronger and more pronounced.
Although extensive studies have been conducted, many scientists and researchers remain unconvinced. Further research and studies need to be done to fully understand the history and causes of this gravity hole.
This continues to show that we cannot yet understand all the mysteries of the planet we live on.
Related | Do you know: When will the Sun die?
Did you know: Which star is the oldest in the universe?
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn