Skip to main content

This 3D map is like a CT scan of Earth itself

3d ct scan of earth shows origins volcanoes screen shot 2015 09 07 at 11 13 03 am
Image used with permission by copyright holder
One hundred twenty years after discovering that we could look inside our own bodies using X-rays, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a way to look inside Earth itself. In the first ever 3D CT scan of Earth, seismologists have managed to create a “sharp, three-dimensional scan of Earth’s interior” that, among other things, details the origins of volcanoes. By looking into the paths of seismic waves that traverse Earth’s interior, the team at Berkeley has linked mantle plumes deep underground with surface hotspots that produce volcanic activity in areas like Hawaii, Samoa, and Iceland.

Origins of Volcanic Island Chains

Due to the high resolution of these latest maps, scientists are able to determine quite conclusively — and for the first time ever, no less — that these large areas of remarkably hot rock beneath Earth’s crust are actually directly related to hotspots above Earth’s surface. Moreover, these mantle plumes can be enormous, ranging from between 600 and 1,000 kilometers across and clocking in at 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the surrounding rock. That being said, there aren’t always areas of particularly warm mantle directly underneath volcanoes — as senior author Barbara Romanowicz notes, many of these plumes begin to “thin out … meander and deflect” as they make their way up towards the cooler parts of the mantle.

Study first author Scott French told Berkeley news sources, “No one has seen before these stark columnar objects that are contiguous all the way from the bottom of the mantle to the upper part of the mantle,” making their discovery particularly novel. This latest advance in the study of Earth’s interior marks the first of many steps that are still needed to understand what goes on underneath our planet’s crust, even as we continue to learn more about what goes on above it.

Moving forward, Romanowicz says, scientists may be able to combine existing techniques “with very sensitive gravity measurements from satellites and maybe electromagnetic sounding” to further their studies. But until then, this CT scan certainly beats what you’ll see at the doctor’s office any day.

Editors' Recommendations

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Need a last-minute Halloween costume? Check out these 3D-printable getups
3D printed Halloween costumes

Still not sure what to dress up as for Halloween this year? Well, instead of frantically scrambling around town looking for the right shop with the right stuff, have you considered 3D printing your Halloween costume? Check out our list of 3D-printable masks and costume pieces to get all geared up for this year's spooking, then fire up that printer.

If you've already finished your costume and want to get started on your scary movie watchlist, we've put together a list of the best horror movies on Netflix.
Squid Game soldier mask

Read more
NASA is testing a 3D printer that uses moon dust to print in space
The Redwire Regolith Print facility suite, consisting of Redwire's Additive Manufacturing Facility, and the print heads, plates and lunar regolith simulant feedstock that launches to the International Space Station.

The Redwire Regolith Print facility suite, consisting of Redwire's Additive Manufacturing Facility and the print heads, plates, and lunar regolith simulant feedstock that launches to the International Space Station. Redwire Space

When a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) this week, it carried a very special piece of equipment from Earth: A 3D printer that uses moon dust to make solid material.

Read more
How to use Google Earth’s Timelapse feature to view new 3D content
how to view google earths timelapse imagery in 3d earth  dubai

Exploring Timelapse in Google Earth

Google has added more enhancements to its impressive Timelapse feature to show in greater detail than ever how our planet has changed over the last 37 years.

Read more