Title: New Theory Suggests Remains of Ancient Planet Embedded Deep within Earth’s Mantle
Subtitle: Theia’s remnants may provide answers to long-standing questions about the giant-impact hypothesis
Date: [Insert Date]
Author: [Author Name]
Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
ATLANTA – Scientists have put forth a new theory that proposes remnants of an ancient planet, known as Theia, may still exist buried deep within Earth’s mantle. This hypothesis challenges the long-held belief that any remains of Theia on Earth were completely blended within the planet’s interior.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, molten slabs of Theia could have embedded themselves within Earth’s mantle after the massive collision billions of years ago. These remnants may have solidified and now reside approximately 1,800 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, resting above the planet’s core.
While the giant-impact hypothesis has been widely accepted by scientists, the existence of Theia and its remnants has remained largely elusive. No leftover fragments of the ancient planet have been found in our solar system, leading many to believe any remnants on Earth were consumed by the planet’s fiery interior.
If this new theory holds true, it would not only provide additional support for the giant-impact hypothesis but also shed light on the origins of a long-standing mystery known as the Large Low-Velocity Provinces (LLVPs). These massive, dense formations within the Earth’s mantle were first discovered in the 1980s but their origin has remained uncertain.
Qian Yuan, a geophysicist and lead author of the study, drew inspiration for this theory during a seminar on the giant-impact hypothesis. He realized that the LLVPs, which had puzzled scientists for years, could potentially be fragments of Theia. After conducting thorough research, Yuan found no previous proposals linking LLVPs to Theia.
Yuan’s theory faced initial challenges and rejections due to the lack of modeling from the giant-impact. However, he eventually connected with scientists who provided the necessary data and modeling. These researchers suggested that Theia’s collision may not have entirely melted Earth’s mantle, allowing the remnants to solidify rather than blend with the surrounding material.
In order to determine whether the density of Theia’s remnants matched that of the LLVPs, the team employed high-resolution modeling. The calculations consistently aligned, indicating that if Theia were a specific size, consistency, and struck the Earth at a particular speed, it could have left behind significant portions of its material within Earth’s mantle.
The study, published this week, was a collaborative effort between researchers from various disciplines and institutions including Arizona State University, California Institute of Technology, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, and NASA’s Ames Research Center.
While the theory is groundbreaking, the scientific community expects further examination and debate. Skepticism remains, as other hypotheses about the formation of LLVPs exist—one postulating that they are sunken oceanic crust accumulated over billions of years.
Lead author Yuan emphasized that his theory is merely an idea or hypothesis, inviting further research and investigation. The scientific community recognizes the significance of this work, but the scrutiny and refinement of theories will continue for the foreseeable future.
In conclusion, the proposed theory suggesting remnants of an ancient extraterrestrial planet within Earth’s mantle opens up new possibilities for understanding the formation and composition of our planet. Further research will be needed to confirm and expand upon these findings, but if proven true, this discovery would paint a clearer picture of Earth’s ancient history and the cataclysmic events that shaped it.