Gravity Anomaly Under the Atlantic: What Lies Beneath the Ocean Floor
A massive gravity anomaly deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean has recently drawn the attention of geologists and physicists alike.
Satellite and seafloor data show an unusual distortion in the planet’s gravitational field stretching between South America and West Africa.
The anomaly, first detected years ago through geophysical mapping, is now being studied with greater detail as instruments reveal fluctuations far beyond what was previously understood.
Gravity on Earth is not uniform. It varies with the planet’s mass distribution—mountain ranges, ocean trenches, and density changes in the mantle all influence it. However, the anomaly beneath the South Atlantic stands out because it is both vast and persistent. Measurements indicate a broad region where gravity is slightly weaker than expected. Scientists believe this depression corresponds to differences in the structure or composition of Earth’s mantle, lying hundreds of miles below the seafloor.
One leading hypothesis connects the anomaly to the South Atlantic Anomaly, a region where Earth’s magnetic field is unusually weak. Though gravity and magnetism are different forces, both can be affected by density and movement inside the planet. Researchers suggest that the mantle under this region may contain hotter, less dense material that affects not only gravity but also magnetic behavior. This could help explain why satellites passing through the area often experience electronic malfunctions.
Another possibility is that remnants of an ancient tectonic plate lie buried beneath the Atlantic crust. When continents broke apart millions of years ago, pieces of denser lithosphere may have sunk into the mantle, leaving lighter material above. This would cause a measurable dip in gravitational strength. Some models also propose a “superplume”—a slow, rising column of heat from deep within Earth—that might push lighter rock upward, further altering the gravity field.
The anomaly is not dangerous, but it helps scientists understand how Earth’s interior evolves. Changes in gravity reflect movements of molten rock and shifts in mass distribution over geological time. Such studies improve knowledge of plate tectonics, volcanic activity, and even long-term climate stability, since the ocean floor’s shape influences global circulation.
While most of this remains below human reach, instruments aboard satellites like GRACE and GOCE continue to map the field with precision. Every new reading adds to a picture of an Earth that is dynamic beneath its calm oceans. The gravity anomaly under the Atlantic reminds us that the planet’s surface hides a restless and constantly shifting world—one that still holds many secrets, waiting quietly in the deep.
Please Like & Share ππͺ½
@1TheBrutalTruth1 Oct 2025 Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.
Comments
Post a Comment