Geologists drilled 4,160 feet into the Atlantic seabed and it changed our understanding of Earth
Geologists have made a groundbreaking discovery by drilling 4,160 feet (1,268 meters) into the Atlantic seabed, significantly advancing our understanding of Earth's structure. While Earth formed millions of years ago, scientists have long been fascinated by its inner layers but have had limited access beyond its outer crust. This recent achievement allowed researchers to penetrate the Earth’s mantle for the first time in a volcanically active region along the mid-Atlantic ridge, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the planet’s deeper layers. The research, conducted using the ocean-drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution and led by Professor Johan Lissenberg of Cardiff University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, represents the culmination of decades of effort, dating back to the 1960s. The findings, published in the journal *Science*, reveal the mineral composition and chemical makeup of mantle rocks recovered during the expedition. Professor Lissenberg emphasized ...