Vast Expanse of Molten Carbon Under the Western United States
Scientist from the University of Royal Holloway London have discovered a vast reservoir of molten carbon under the western United States. The reservoir covers a 695,000 square miles (1.8 million kilometers) area 217 miles (350 km) beneath the surface.
Image Source
Seismic Sensor Array
Image Source Not the actual array used
The team of scientist used an array of 583 advanced seismometers to identify vibrations generated in the upper mantle.
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The upper mantle extends to a depth of 250 miles (410 km) under the Earth's crust. The temperatures within the upper mantle can range from 932 to 1,652 degrees (F) or 500 to 900 degrees (C).
Molten Carbon
The molten carbon is generated by the submerging of the Pacific tectonic plate under the North American plate. As the Pacific plate is pushed down it carries with it vast amounts of carbon accumulated on the ocean floor. The carbonates in the submerged crust are melted in the upper mantle.
Image Source
Based on the researchers' findings it is now suspected that the Earth's upper mantle could contain far more molten carbon than previously thought. The new estimate of the amount of carbon sequestered in the Earth's upper mantle is 100 trillion metric tons.
Source of Green House Gas
Did you notice Yellowstone and the other seismically active regions of the U.S. where the vast deposit of molten carbon was found?
The molten carbon is a potential source of carbon dioxide. Fissures and volcanoes in the western U.S. could release a portion of the trapped carbon dioxide.
Image Source
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the global carbon emissions to be about 10 billion metric tons. That is just one ten thousandth of the 100 TRILLION metric tons of carbon estimated to be in the Earth's upper mantle.
If just 1% of the 100 trillion metric tons of carbon were released into the atmosphere it is equivalent to burning 2.3 trillion barrels of oil.
Over the course of time volcanic eruptions will release the carbon contained in the upper upper mantle into the atmosphere.
Needless to say, the results of this study will give geologist and climatologist a lot to think about and consider.
Sources and Full Articles
Western US Sitting Over Vast Expanse Of Molten Carbon, Tech Times, 15 February 2017
Massive Amounts of Melting Carbon Have Been Found Under the Western US, Science Alert, 14 February 2017
Scientists discover massive reservoir of greenhouse gases, 16 February 2017
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It is always nice when observations require to change the initial thoughts :)
There is always more to learn. And sometimes systems are a little more complex and dynamic than originally thought.
I would even say "often" instead of "sometimes" :)
They'll figure out a way to tax the people living in that area claiming that they have a naturally much bigger carbon footprint 😉
Not only would ranchers in the West have to worry about being taxed with their live stock farts. Now they will have to worry about the earth under their feet farting greenhouse gases too. Tax the Land Farts!
If there is a way to tax something, the government will find a way to tax it quicker than they will solve any other problem.
I have also always wondered who would pay the carbon tax for a forest fire?