2025-07-19T16:30:00Z

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What if the secret to predicting volcanic eruptions lies not above the Earth, but deep within its belly? Enter the world of BLOBS, two mysterious continent-sized structures lurking in the Earth's lower mantle that might just be the key to understanding our planet's fiery personality.

For decades, textbooks painted Earth's lower mantle as a smooth, unremarkable layer. But scientists have now uncovered that it hides a mountainous terrain, home to massive structures dubbed BLOBS. These enigmatic giants may be composed of the same materials that surround them, but they have a unique role that sets them apart: influencing volcanic activity.

Recent research published in Communications Earth & Environment suggests these BLOBS could be the driving force behind volcanic plumes, which are essentially streams of magma that can lead to eruptions. By modeling the BLOBS' movements over a billion-year timeline, researchers discovered that mantle plumes often originate from or near these structures, hinting at a deep connection.

This revelation offers hope for future volcanic prediction systems. If we can trace the paths of mantle plumes back to their origins, we might anticipate when and where a volcano will wake from its slumber. Although destructive—like the record-setting 2022 Hunga eruption—volcanoes have also forged new lands and islands, reshaping our world.

While there's still much to learn about these underworld giants, this research could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about Earth's geology and its fiery temper. The idea of BLOBS influencing volcanic history is a thrilling prospect, one that could rewrite our understanding of the planet beneath our feet.