About Ringwoodite:
- It is a fascinating mineral that exists in the Earth’s transition zone. It has a unique crystal structure that allows it to absorb water and hydrogen, acting like a sponge. This mineral can hold a significant amount of water.
- It is a rare type of mineral that forms from olivine under very high pressures and temperatures.
- The weight of hundreds of kilometers of rock and very high temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 Fahrenheit) break down water into its components.
- When the minerals containing this water reach certain depths, they break down in a process called dehydration and release the water to form magmas.
- Such "dehydration melting" is common in the shallow mantle and forms the source for magmas in many volcanoes.
Implications for Earth’s water cycle:
- The discovery of this deepwater reservoir has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth’s water cycle.
- It suggests that water can be transported to the Earth’s surface from deep within its mantle, contributing to the water found in oceans, rivers and lakes.
- This internal water source could also play a role in volcanic activity and the formation of new crust.
