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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden ‘blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs
MYSTERIOUS 'BLOBS' lurking beneath the Earth's surface could be responsible for the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that helped kill off the dinosaurs. While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role. Advertisement 4 These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 4 While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role Credit: Getty 4 There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, according to researchers Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 Volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire cities - just look at Pompeii - and even wipe out life on Earth. The source of these Earth-shattering eruptions can be traced back to specific features deep within Earth's underworld, called 'BLOBS', according to a new study. These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface. And they move just like the tectonic plates above them. Advertisement READ MORE ON EARTH SCIENCE There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia, discovered these 'BLOBS' with her colleagues. They say these deep Earth structures have a direct influence on volcanic activity above ground. Giant volcanic eruptions occur when deep mantle plumes - scorching columns of rock - rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the surface. Advertisement Most read in Science Analysing three different datasets on large volcanic eruptions that occurred around 300 million years ago, the researchers concluded that the 'BLOBS' are the source of these plumes. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro World's smallest volcano found by locals after bursting from ground in Peru "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." Although some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld. Advertisement "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," added geoscientist Nicholas Flament. What the new research suggests is that they are part of a dynamic system that has direct repercussions for all living things above ground. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and Flament wrote in "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." Advertisement With all the devastation volcanic eruptions can cause, it is important to know what causes them to blow. 4 Some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden ‘blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs
There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said BLOB-POCALYPSE Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden 'blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MYSTERIOUS 'BLOBS' lurking beneath the Earth's surface could be responsible for the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that helped kill off the dinosaurs. While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 4 While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role Credit: Getty 4 There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, according to researchers Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 Volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire cities - just look at Pompeii - and even wipe out life on Earth. The source of these Earth-shattering eruptions can be traced back to specific features deep within Earth's underworld, called 'BLOBS', according to a new study. These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface. And they move just like the tectonic plates above them. There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia, discovered these 'BLOBS' with her colleagues. They say these deep Earth structures have a direct influence on volcanic activity above ground. Giant volcanic eruptions occur when deep mantle plumes - scorching columns of rock - rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the surface. Analysing three different datasets on large volcanic eruptions that occurred around 300 million years ago, the researchers concluded that the 'BLOBS' are the source of these plumes. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro said in a statement. World's smallest volcano found by locals after bursting from ground in Peru "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." Although some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld. "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," added geoscientist Nicholas Flament. What the new research suggests is that they are part of a dynamic system that has direct repercussions for all living things above ground. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and Flament wrote in The Conversation. "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." With all the devastation volcanic eruptions can cause, it is important to know what causes them to blow.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Mysterious Blobs Deep Inside Earth May Fuel Deadly Volcanic Eruptions
Volcanic eruptions can destroy essential infrastructure, ground air traffic for days, wipe out entire cities, disrupt the climate for years, and even wipe out life on Earth, so it's important to know what causes them to blow. New research has revealed that specific features deep within Earth can be linked directly to such cataclysmic eruptions. Thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface, there is a solid layer of hot rock called the lower mantle. Textbook diagrams would have you believe this is a smooth layer, but the lower mantle actually contains a mountainous topography, with two continent-sized structures, possibly made of different materials than their surrounds. Related: These hidden structures feature craggy ranges that shift and buckle much like the tectonic plates far above them. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia and her colleagues have found these big lower-mantle basal structures – termed 'BLOBS' by the research team – have a direct influence on volcanic activity at Earth's surface. When scorching columns of rock, known as deep mantle plumes, first rise from depths of nearly 3,000 kilometers (almost 2,000 miles), we get the kinds of Earth-shattering volcanoes that wiped out most of life on Earth, and had a hand in the extinction of the dinosaurs. The BLOBS seemed a likely source of these subterranean plumes, and Cucchiaro's team has now confirmed this connection using three different datasets that provide extensive detail on large volcanic eruptions that happened around 300 million years ago. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro says. "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." There are two BLOBS within the lower mantle. One is below the African hemisphere, and the other, under the Pacific. We still don't know if the BLOBS are ever fixed in place, or if they're always moving around via convection, but the new research suggests it's a dynamic system with direct repercussions for us surface dwellers. By simulating the movements of BLOBS 1 billion years ago, the team showed that they produced mantle plumes that were sometimes slightly tilted as they rose. This meant eruptions occurred either directly above the BLOBS, or close to it – and these locations matched that of known eruptions. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and her colleague, geoscientist Nicholas Flament, explained in The Conversation. "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." As much as they destroy, large eruptions also have the power to create, and knowing where they may occur – either historically or in the future – could also help us to find magmatic treasures like kimberlite and diamonds, and minerals that could be used in harnessing renewable energy. "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," says Flament. This research was published in Communications Earth & Environment. Atlantic Ocean's Nanoplastic Problem Revealed in Shocking New Study Scientists Discovered This Amazing Practical Use For Leftover Coffee Grounds Antarctica's Ocean Is Mysteriously Getting Saltier, Spelling End to Sea Ice
