A vast area of ​​low gravity is found in the Indian Ocean

Scientists may explain why a vast expanse in the middle of the Indian Ocean has a lower-than-average gravity on Earth.

Scientists have for years puzzled over why an area of ​​sea floor beneath the Indian Ocean, covering more than two million square miles, is submerged compared to the surrounding area. Indicatively, the sea level in this area is 106 meters below the world average.

It seems that two researchers from the Indian Institute of Sciences, Debanjan Pal and Attreyee Ghosh, have discovered the reason for the decrease in gravity at this point.

By looking at simulation models for the last 140 million years, they were able to see how the Earth’s tectonic plates have moved. In their study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, they found the remains of an ancient ocean 600 miles below Earth’s crust.

In all simulations they found that there Magma Jets, possibly due to the sinking of tectonic plates in the mantle (the layer just below the Earth’s crust). According to the study, these magma jets may be responsible for the reduced gravity.

However, it should be noted that this is a Simulation research In this context, more study should be done on this topic.

“In simulations, it is not possible to completely imitate nature,” said Himangsho Paul of India’s National Institute of Geophysical Research.

With information from Insider, BBC