New research reveals the incredible phenomenon of a ‘gravity hole’ in the Indian Ocean, where sea levels dip dramatically due to weaker gravitational pull.
The Indian Ocean has always been a place of mystery and discovery, and recent research has uncovered a massive “gravity hole” in the region. This anomaly is where Earth’s gravitational pull is weaker, and as a result, the sea level dips by over 328 feet (100 meters). This revelation has baffled scientists for years, but new studies offer an intriguing explanation, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Unveiling the Mystery of the Gravity Hole
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, India, have suggested that magma plumes from deep within the Earth are the cause of this phenomenon.
These plumes, similar to those responsible for volcanic eruptions, seem to have played a key role in shaping this gravitational anomaly.
How Scientists Figured It Out
Using supercomputers, scientists simulated the region’s formation over the last 140 million years. Their findings, published in the Geophysical Research Letters, point to ancient oceans and tectonic processes.
The research reveals that plumes from the African superplume contributed to the development of this gravity anomaly.
Understanding Earth’s ‘Lumpy Potato’ Shape
While the Earth is often depicted as a perfect sphere, scientists believe it’s more akin to a “lumpy potato”, with bulging areas caused by the planet’s rotation. Some areas are denser than others, leading to variations in gravity. This uneven distribution of mass is responsible for the gravity hole’s formation.
What Exactly Is the Gravity Hole?
Known as the Indian Ocean Geoid Low, the gravity hole is a vast gravitational anomaly located off the southern tip of India.
The Gravity Hole spans an area of approximately 1.2 million square miles (3 million square kilometers) and is marked by a circular depression in Earth’s geoid, where the gravitational pull is weaker than in surrounding regions
The Discovery of the Gravity Hole
The anomaly was first spotted by Dutch geophysicist Felix Andries Vening Meinesz in 1948 during a ship-based gravity survey. However, its origins remained unclear until recent research shed light on the possible causes.
More Insights into the Gravity Hole
The gravity hole causes a weaker gravitational pull, resulting in sea levels that are about 348 feet (106 meters) lower than the global average. The research also links the anomaly’s formation to the disappearance of the ancient Tethys Ocean and the shifting of tectonic plates. The sinking of crustal fragments and rising magma plumes are believed to be contributing factors.
This groundbreaking research has finally provided answers to a long-standing geological mystery, offering a fascinating glimpse into the dynamic processes shaping our planet.
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