Most of the planet's mantle is hot but solid. But a new study has found that about 150 km
So, based on the latest data,The researchers hypothesized that some parts of the asthenosphere were hotter than others. They also found patchy regions of melt, but they didn't know how deep or widespread these melt regions were.
As part of the new study, scientists collecteddata from thousands of seismic waves detected at 716 stations around the world. They found that the asthenosphere contains a partially molten layer that extends under at least 44% of the planet. However, it could be much larger because scientists have not been able to probe the ocean floor. It likely covers a layer of melt that covers a much larger area than the continents.
Oddly enough, this molten layer does not affect the movement of tectonic plates or the viscosity of the mantle.
Read more:
Two photos of the Earth with a difference of 50 years were compared at NASA: what scientists found
An Earth-sized planet has been found not far from us. Perhaps there is an atmosphere
Look at the golden "braces" of the 17th century: they were installed by a socialite
Cover photo: Wikimedia Commons