Scientists discover massive reservoir of greenhouse gases
A huge well of molten carbon that would spell disaster for the planet if released has been found under the US.
Scientists using the world's largest array of seismic sensors have mapped a deep-Earth area, covering 700,000 sq miles (1.8 million sq km).
This is around the size of Mexico, and researchers say it has the potential to cause untold environmental damage.
The discovery could change our understanding of how much carbon the Earth contains, suggesting it is much more than we previously believed.
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A huge well of molten carbon that would spell disaster for the planet if released has been found under the US (stock image)
Scientists uncovered a huge reservoir of molten carbon situated under the Western US, 217 miles (350km) beneath the Earth's surface
WHY COULD IT SPELL DISASTER? If just a fraction of the carbon found by the Royal Holloway team were released into the atmosphere, it could have grave implications for the planet. Just one per cent of the CO2 stored would be equivalent to burning 2.3 trillion barrels of oil. If a substantial amount was released all at once, it could bring about an environmental disaster on the scale of nuclear warfare. One scenario in which this could happen is through the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. The volcano at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana last erupted 640,000 years ago. If it were to erupt, it would be one thousand times as powerful as the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption and have the potential to blanket the US in a 'nuclear winter'.
It would be impossible to drill far enough down to physically 'see' the Earth's mantle, so a team of researchers used a massive group of sensors to paint a picture of it, using mathematical equations to interpret their results.
The study, conducted by geologists at Royal Holloway University in London, used a huge network of 583 seismic sensors that measure the Earth's vibrations, to create a picture of the area's deep sub surface.
Known as the upper mantle, this section of the Earth's interior is known for by its high temperatures where solid carbonates melt, creating distinctive seismic patterns.
What they found was a vast buried deposit of molten carbon, which produces carbon dioxide and other gases, situated under the Western US, 217 miles (350km) beneath the Earth's surface.
As a result of this study, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison.
The deep carbon reservoir discovered will eventually make its way to the surface through volcanic eruptions and contribute to climate change albeit very slowly, but a sudden release could have dire consequences.
Dr Sash Hier-Majumder of the University of London's Department of Earth Sciences led the study.
He said: 'Under the western US is a huge underground partially-molten reservoir of liquid carbonate.
'It is a result of one of the tectonic plates of the Pacific Ocean forced underneath the western USA, undergoing partial melting thanks to gasses like carbon dioxide and water contained in the minerals dissolved in it.'
The study, conducted by geologists at Royal Holloway, used a huge network of 583 seismic sensors (stock image)
'We might not think of the deep structure of the Earth as linked to climate change above us, but this discovery not only has implications for subterranean mapping but also for our future atmosphere,'
'For example, releasing only one per cent of this CO2 into the atmosphere will be the equivalent of burning 2.3 trillion barrels of oil.'
'The existence of such deep reservoirs show how important is the role of deep Earth in the global carbon cycle.'
FINDINGS IN NUMBERS The study, conducted by geologists at Royal Holloway, used a huge network of 583 seismic sensors. It uncovered a huge reservoir of molten carbon situated under the Western US, 217 miles (350km) beneath the Earth's surface. The partially melted carbon covers an area of 700,000 sq miles (1.8 million sq km).
As a result of this study, scientists now believe the amount of CO2 in the Earth's upper mantle may be up to 100 trillion metric tons.
In comparison, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates the global carbon emission in 2011 was nearly 10 billion metric tons – a tiny amount in comparison.
The area covered by the study includes Yellowstone National Park, where previous research has uncovered evidence of a supervolcano which could also spell danger for the planet.
The volcano at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana sits atop a huge reserve of molten rock and last erupted 640,000 years ago.
It releases around 45,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each day.
The partially melted carbon found by the team at Royal Holloway covers an area of 1.8 million sq km (700,000 sq miles)
If it were to erupt, it would be one thousand times as powerful as the 1980 Mount St Helens eruption and have the potential to blanket the US in a 'nuclear winter'.
While it has lain dormant for more than 70,000 years, scientists say that we can't rule out the possibility eruption this may some day take place - although they say the chances are extremely slim.
The Grand Prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park is among the park's many hydrothermal features created by the Yellowstone supervolcano.
Experts say there is a one in 700,000 annual chance of a volcanic eruption at the site.