Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that provides further evidence to support the theory that the moon was formed from a colossal collision between Earth and an ancient planet called Theia. Recent research into the composition of metal ore deep within the moon has revealed the presence of titanium-iron deposits, suggesting that remnants of Theia contributed to the formation of our lunar companion.
The collision between Earth and Theia is believed to have occurred approximately 4.5 billion years ago, causing Theia to shatter into molten rock fragments upon impact. While it has long been speculated that remnants of Theia are buried deep within the Earth, the exact location of this material has remained a mystery until now.
Thanks to data collected by NASA’s GRAIL spacecraft, scientists have identified dense areas within the moon’s mantle that are rich in iron “ilmenite” and titanium deposits. These findings are consistent with predictions made by the Theia impact hypothesis, providing strong evidence that Theia’s remnants played a significant role in the formation of the moon.
Following the collision, heavy titanium and iron from Theia began to sink towards the lunar core, displacing lighter materials upward. On Earth, similar dense areas known as Large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs) were discovered at the bottom of the mantle beneath the African and Pacific tectonic plates. Geologists were able to identify these LLVPs using seismic detection technology.
When seismic waves were analyzed, researchers observed a significant slowdown in these two specific regions at a depth of 1,800 miles. This phenomenon was not observed in other parts of the Earth, confirming the presence of LLVPs beneath the African and Pacific tectonic plates.
The density of the substances between these LLVPs was found to be 2 to 3.5% higher than the rest of the Earth’s mantle, supporting previous theories that suggest a minor quantity of material from Theia became incorporated into the lower mantle of the early Earth.
This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of the moon’s formation and the history of our solar system. By uncovering evidence of Theia’s impact on the moon’s mantle, scientists are gaining valuable insights into the processes that shaped our celestial neighborhood billions of years ago.
Further research will undoubtedly be conducted to explore the extent of Theia’s influence on both Earth and the moon. By analyzing the composition of metal ore and studying the behavior of seismic waves, scientists hope to unravel more mysteries surrounding the birth of our moon and its connection to our planet’s ancient past.
The discovery of evidence supporting the existence of a “buried planet” within Earth opens up new avenues of exploration and fuels our curiosity about the vast universe we inhabit. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, we can only imagine what other fascinating discoveries lie hidden beneath the surface of our planet, waiting to be revealed.
