A New State of Water Reveals a Hidden Ocean in Earth’s Mantle

Diamonds from deep within the earth carry a new form of water ice, Ice-VII, that confirms there’s an ocean underneath us! Here’s what we know.

Read More:
“These mineral flecks — some too small to see even under a microscope — offer a peek into Earth’s otherwise unreachable interior. In 2014, researchers glimpsed something embedded in these minerals that, if not for its deep origins, would’ve been unremarkable: water.”

Ice-VII inclusions in diamonds: Evidence for aqueous fluid in Earth’s deep mantle

The Earth’s Hidden Ocean
“Dr. Jacobsen synthesizes deep-earth minerals by replicating the extreme pressures that exist hundreds of miles below the surface. Over the years when he has made a blue mineral called ringwoodite, which is ubiquitous in the transition zone, it has formed with water. But that was just lab work, Dr. Jacobsen said, adding, “We haven’t known whether it could happen down there.”
____________________

Elements is more than just a science show. It’s your science-loving best friend, tasked with keeping you updated and interested on all the compelling, innovative and groundbreaking science happening all around us. Join our passionate hosts as they help break down and present fascinating science, from quarks to quantum theory and beyond.

Seeker explains every aspect of our world through a lens of science, inspiring a new generation of curious minds who want to know how today’s discoveries in science, math, engineering and technology are impacting our lives, and shaping our future. Our stories parse meaning from the noise in a world of rapidly changing information.

Special thanks to Maren Hunsberger for hosting and writing this episode of Seeker!

[ryanmcdowell]

Aquaman's power levels just went through the roof 😂

[terratheterribl]

Sea monster movies now have a new plot device 🙌

[CaptainQwazCaz]

So that's how it's possible for there to be a beach in bikini bottom.

[anthonyspicer]

If anyone wants to know what ice 7 is: Ice 7 is a type of ice that is not formed by freezing temperatures. But formed by water being so compact that it’s atoms get compressed and packed together forming ice. And what’s cool about this ice is how it’s not even cold because it’s not formed by freezing temperatures like I already said.

[Liam-iqqe]

If the earth has water in it's mantel that we haven't found yet, imagine what might be under Mars' surface!

[nicestrice]

Scientists are always telling us what planets billions of miles away are made of and they can't even decide what this planet is made of.

[whatsopanime]

Water Bender's are earth Bender's now huh

[beingme._.eilonwy]

Everyday I learn new things about this planet. It’s mystery intrigues me. This is why I hate school. We could be learning more important and relevant things, but we don’t.

[pqhyhxn]

Then one thing is for sure...Godzilla.

[cheilin]

I’ll ask the bartender to throw some ice 7 on my whiskey

[SAKSOON]

This totally proves that the Earth is actually triangle shaped ☝️!! You hear me, flat earthers!?!??

[AshishSinghPaL]

to the centre of the earth' was correct afterall🙄🤨

[chillerup]

This isn't the first time we observe ice 7; There is a planet called GJ1214b, that is currently bieng studied by a harvard team of astrophysicists and they have discovered that the high temperatures and high pressures have formed exotic materials like 'hot ice' or 'superfluid water, ' substances that are completely alien to our everyday experience and most likely, near its core, it is surrounded by high pressurised water in an extremely dense state called ice 7.

[IPromiseTomorrow]

*Scientists*
"There is rocks in there!"
*Millions of people*
Ouuu That's interesting!

*Later on.*
"There is a hidden Ocean there!"
*Millions of people.*
"Ouuu that's interesting! "

[mrmexicano]

"and check out this video of a massive asteroid headed to Earth"
me: wait, what?
"Thanks for Watching!"

[dreamsserching]

This makes me wonder if there could be any microbe that could serve as an antibiotic we haven't discovered there

[blackzeppelin]

It is only a matter of time that we may see a Kaiju 🤣

[SuicidialDolphin]

Jules Verne was right all along, my god... TIME TO GO DINOSAUR HUNTING!!!

[StefanHayden]

aqueous pockets would be a great bottled water brand.

[legolas]

I wonder if these deep underground water sources are connected in any way to some deep parts of the ocean, proving again how little we actually know about our own ocean. We have so many “aliens” on our planet already in the form of unidentified sea creatures, wonder if it goes deeper, if it does it probably gets weirder.