A new study has shed light on the Indian Continental Plate’s geology, revealing that it may be splitting horizontally into separate layers. Rather than breaking into two pieces sideways, scientists suggest that the plate is delaminating, resulting in one section rising to explain the high altitude of Tibet and another sinking into the Earth’s mantle.
Researchers analyzed levels of helium in Tibetan springs to support this theory. They found rare helium-3 in northern Tibet, indicating that the mantle was close to the surface and the plate was splitting. In contrast, southern Tibet showed higher levels of Helium-4, suggesting that the split had not yet occurred there.
Professor Douwe van Hinsbergen of Utrecht University pointed out that this behavior of continents was previously unknown, marking a significant advancement in solid earth science. The study is available on ESS Open Archive and has yet to undergo peer review but offers new insights into India’s complex geology.
Stay updated on the latest science news and discoveries by signing up for our free indy100 weekly newsletter. Don’t forget to join our free WhatsApp channel for more exciting content. Make your voice heard by upvoting this article to help it climb through the indy100 rankings.
