Unearthing the Ancient Planet That Shaped Earth's Destiny
Scientists believe that remnants of an ancient Mars-sized planet called Theia, which collided with Earth 4.5 billion years ago and gave rise to the formation of the moon, may be buried deep within Earth's mantle close to the core. Computer simulations support the theory that two continent-sized masses of material located under Africa and the Pacific Ocean are remnants of Theia. These masses, known as large low-velocity provinces (LLVPs), have a different composition and higher density than the surrounding mantle. The simulations suggest that Theia's matter, which partially melted Earth's mantle during the collision, settled into these LLVPs over time. Further research will explore how this alien material may have influenced Earth's evolution and the formation of its first continents.
