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Ocean Under the Ocean: Exploring Hidden Waters on Earth and Beyond
By Kasia Gintrowska
In recent years, scientists have made remarkable discoveries that challenge our understanding of water’s role in shaping planets, life, and ecosystems. From oceans hidden beneath the Earth’s crust to potential water worlds beyond our solar system, these findings expand our view of what is possible in the universe.
Proxima Centauri b: A Possible Twin Earth
The discovery of Proxima Centauri b, located 4.24 light-years away, marked a turning point in planetary exploration. Initially identified in 2016 as the nearest “twin Earth,” the planet has since been the subject of intense study. NASA scientists now believe Proxima b may host a vast, dynamic ocean—a potential cradle for life.
Unlike Earth, Proxima b is tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its host star while the other remains in perpetual darkness. Recent simulations published in Astrobiology suggest that this ocean spans both the illuminated and dark regions, creating a unique “transition zone” with temperate conditions that might support life.
“The main goal of the simulations we run is that there is a high chance that the planet will be habitable, and we want to demonstrate that,” explains Anthony Del Genio of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies.
However, the distribution of water presents challenges. The lit side’s extreme heat could cause boiling, while the dark side may have frozen waters. Scientists theorize that warm currents circulating between these extremes might expand the habitable zone, providing a stable environment for an aquatic ecosystem.
Earth’s Hidden Ocean: Three Times Larger than All Surface Waters
Closer to home, Earth itself conceals a massive ocean beneath its surface. Hidden 400 to 650 kilometers deep in the transition zone between the upper and lower mantle, this “ocean” is not liquid but stored within the molecular structure of a mineral called ringwoodite.
Geophysicist Steve Jacobsen and seismologist Brandon Schmandt provided groundbreaking evidence for this phenomenon in 2014. By analyzing seismic waves from over 500 earthquakes, they discovered an acceleration pattern consistent with water storage in the Earth’s mantle.
This underground reservoir is estimated to be three times larger than all Earth’s surface oceans combined. Such a discovery reshapes our understanding of the Earth’s water cycle and raises questions about water’s origins. Traditionally, scientists believed Earth’s water came from asteroids or comets. Jacobsen and Schmandt’s findings suggest an alternate theory: water might originate from within the planet itself.
Beyond Earth: Oceans in the Solar System
Earth is not the only celestial body with hidden oceans. Ceres, a dwarf planet located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, has intrigued scientists with signs of subsurface water. Data from NASA’s Dawn probe indicates the presence of an ocean enriched with organic materials—possibly a foundation for life.
Mars, too, hides water beneath its surface. NASA’s InSight mission revealed underground reservoirs that, if spread across the planet, could create an ocean one to two kilometers deep. These findings hint at Mars’ potential to support life in the past or even the present.
Implications for Science and Exploration
The discovery of hidden oceans on Earth and beyond has profound implications for understanding planetary systems, life, and habitability. Proxima Centauri b’s dynamic ocean underscores the potential for life on exoplanets, while Earth’s transition-zone water challenges long-standing theories of water’s origins. Meanwhile, findings on Ceres and Mars reveal the solar system’s diverse reservoirs of water, pushing the boundaries of astrobiology.
As scientists continue exploring these fascinating phenomena, each discovery deepens our knowledge of the universe—and our place within it. The existence of hidden oceans, both near and far, serves as a reminder of the vast, untapped mysteries waiting to be unveiled.
