1994 Bolivian earthquake reveals mountains 660 kilometers below our feet
I believe this is a great use of public funding for basic research.<p>Plate tectonic theory is strangely both very recent and very old—it was conceived in the 1950s and has led to major discoveries in the private sector.<p>While the immediate implications of a breakthrough like this (extreme topography separating mantle transition zones) don’t likely have an impact on society at large, a series of them likely will.<p>It would be great to unlock additional resources, perhaps in less volatile areas, or more cleanly, by using a new model for earth processes.