Scientists Discover Ancient Subterranean 'Supercontinents' Beneath Earth's Mantle

New research reveals massive geological structures, over 600 miles tall, that challenge established theories of Earth's mantle dynamics.

Researchers from Utrecht University identified two massive underground formations called Large Low Seismic Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs), located beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean.
These structures, over 620 miles tall, are significantly older than previously thought, with estimates suggesting they may be over a billion years old.
The study, published in *Nature*, used seismic waves from earthquakes to analyze the composition and behavior of these formations, revealing unexpected acoustic properties.
Unlike surrounding regions, the LLSVPs exhibit minimal damping of seismic waves, likely due to their larger mineral grain sizes, which also indicate their ancient origins.
The findings challenge traditional views of the Earth's mantle as a well-mixed, fast-flowing layer and provide new insights into planetary evolution, volcanic activity, and tectonic processes.