Kathmandu. Everyone knows the mysterious stories of the Bermuda Triangle – ships and planes disappear. But now scientists have discovered a real mystery beneath the island of Bermuda.
A new study has revealed that there is a layer of 20 kilometers thick rock beneath the crust of the island (the Earth’s upper crust). Which is less dense than the surrounding rocks. This layer puts the island up like a raft. Such a level is not seen anywhere on Earth.
How was the scientific discovery made?
William Fraser, a seismologist at Carnegie Sciences, and Jeffrey Park of Yale University studied seismic waves from 396 earthquakes. These waves travel across the Earth, stop or deviate at levels of varying density. Using data from a seismic station in Bermuda, they captured images up to 50 kilometres beneath the island.
Usually the mantle (the warm inner layer of the earth) begins beneath the oceanic crust. Bermuda has an extra layer between the crust and the sheath. This layer is about 1.5% less dense than the surrounding crust. So it’s light and keeps the island floating.
What is the scientific reason?
Bermuda is a volcanic island. However, there has been no volcanic activity for more than 30 million years. Normally, when volcanoes are closed, the crust cools and sinks. But Bermuda didn’t sink. It is 500 meters above sea level.
Scientists believe that this layer was formed during the last volcanic eruption. The hot rock from the mantle entered the crust and solidified there. This is called ‘underplating’. Because this layer is less dense, it keeps the island floating.
The study is published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. “It’s unique on earth,” Fraser said. Now we will investigate other islands to see if such a layer exists. ’
The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle: How many ships and planes have disappeared?
The Bermuda Triangle (the area between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico) is also known as the ‘Devil’s Triangle’. Stories of mysterious ships and plane disappearances are famous here. More than 50 planes and more than 20 planes are missing.
Most famously: Flight 19–5 U.S. Navy bombers with 14 on board – disappeared in 1945. A search plane was also missing. However, scientists say that this area is very busy. Many ships and planes pass through there. The disappearance rate is similar to that of other parts of the world.
Causes: bad weather, strong currents (Gulf Current), magnetic compass errors and human error. There is no supernatural mystery. That unique rock layer is not above the real mystery, but beneath Bermuda. This discovery will provide a new understanding of Earth’s geology.
