Everyone knows the haunting tales of the Bermuda Triangle – a place where ships and airplanes mysteriously vanish. However, scientists have uncovered a fascinating geological discovery beneath the island of Bermuda. A new study reveals a 20-kilometer thick layer of rock below the Earth's crust that is less dense than the surrounding rocks, causing the island to stay buoyant, much like a raft. No such layer has been found anywhere else on Earth.
Seismologists William Frazer from Carnegie Science and Jeffrey Park from Yale University studied seismic waves generated by 396 earthquakes. These waves, traveling through the Earth's interior, pause or bend around layers of different densities, allowing the researchers to map 50 kilometers beneath Bermuda using data from seismological stations on the island.
Generally, beneath the oceanic crust starts the mantle, the hot interior layer of the Earth. In Bermuda, there's an additional layer between the crust and the mantle, about 1.5% less dense than its surroundings, keeping it light and holding the island up.
Source: aajtak
Bermuda is a volcanic island, but its volcanic activity has been dormant for over 30 million years. Typically, inactive volcanoes cause the crust to sink as it cools. However, Bermuda remains above sea level by 500 meters. Scientists believe this layer was formed during the last volcanic eruption. The mantle's hot rock intruded the crust, solidifying there – a phenomenon known as 'underplating'. This buoyant layer keeps the island afloat.
Published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, Frazer suggests this may be unique to Earth. Further exploration will investigate whether similar layers exist beneath other islands.
Source: aajtak
The Bermuda Triangle, known as the 'Devil's Triangle' between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, is infamous for its mysterious vanishing ships and airplanes. Over 50 ships and 20 aircraft have disappeared without a trace.
Most Famous Case:
In 1945, Flight 19 – five U.S. Navy bombers vanished with 14 people onboard. A search plane followed suit. But scientists note this is a bustling area with consistent air and sea traffic, the disappearance rates match the global norm.
Possible Explanations:
Bad weather, strong currents (the Gulf Stream), magnetic compass variations, and human error, with no supernatural mysteries. The true enigma lies not above but beneath Bermuda – the unique rock layer. This discovery offers new geological insights into Earth's structure.
