In a groundbreaking discovery near Oman, scientists have identified a previously unknown continental plume. This plume, named Dani, is a channel of hot material rising from the Earth's mantle.
The research, conducted by an international team and published in "Earth and Planetary Science Letters," sheds light on the movement of Earth's mantle. Mantle plumes play a crucial role in the transfer of heat within the planet, influencing the movement of tectonic plates. The study compared them to the lava lamps.
Despite several active plumes, the study identified that the continental plates are more resistant to volcanism. This discovery provides new insights into the Earth's internal processes. The mantle, a layer beneath the Earth's crust, contains a large portion of the planet's mass. The mantle extends from 30 to 2900 km below the Earth's surface and accounts for about 80% of Earth's volume.