Volcanic Eruptions Might Be Triggered by Enigmatic ‘BLOBS’ Beneath the Earth’s Surface
Although many educational resources suggest that the Earth’s lower mantle—the layer situated far beneath the crust—is uniform, it is actually characterized by a rugged topography that shifts and evolves similarly to the crust overhead. Additionally, studies reveal that this lower mantle harbors two immense structures the size of continents, which researchers have labeled big lower-mantle basal structures, or BLOBS.
The precise composition of these BLOBS remains unknown; however, scientists speculate they might comprise similar materials to their surroundings. Indeed, recent research appearing in the journal Communications Earth & Environment implies that volcanic activities on our planet could be influenced by volcanic plumes that migrate with their sources.
The sources in question, researchers contend, may be the BLOBS located deep within the Earth. These cryptic structures seem to serve as the motivating factor behind the planet’s volcanic timeline, and although many scientists diligently work to validate this, analyses of prior simulations have presented a fairly lucid context.
Initially, the researchers leveraged computer models to replicate the movements of the BLOBS from over 1 billion years ago. These simulations indicated that the BLOBS generated mantle plumes that were at times tilted or even ascended higher. This implies that the eruptions observed during the last billion years likely occurred above the BLOBS, or at least in close proximity to them.
The researchers assert that this information indicates a potential link between the Earth’s volcanic activity and the BLOBS, regardless of their depth within the planet. The results are “promising,” as the researchers mention in a post on The Conversation, suggesting that future simulations may succeed in predicting where mantle plumes may emerge next. This could assist in developing a general warning system for volcanic activity.
Despite their capacity for destruction—the Hunga volcano eruption of 2022 continues to break records long after—significant volcanic eruptions can also produce new islands and landmasses. Understanding where they happen—or where they occurred historically—could aid in saving lives and enhancing our knowledge of how our planet has evolved over different eras. Certainly, much remains to be uncovered about the enigmatic BLOBS nestled deep within the Earth. Yet, this research serves as a critical lead that could pave the way for numerous new discoveries and insights.
