Uncovering Earth's Hidden Mountains and Ancient Ocean Floor Near the Core

Researchers from The University of Alabama used seismic imaging to discover a dense layer of ancient ocean floor, or ultra-low velocity zone (ULVZ), between Earth’s core and mantle. This layer of ULVZ is denser than the rest of the deep mantle, slowing seismic waves reverberating beneath the surface. These underground “mountains” may play an important role in how heat escapes from the core, the portion of the planet that powers the magnetic field.