Water supply found in Earth’s crust

Published Dec 19, 2014

Share

 

London - The biggest water supply on Earth has been discovered deep within the planet’s crust – and it could be home to unknown species.

Geologists estimate it may comprise about 2.5 million cubic miles of water, more than all the world’s rivers, swamps and lakes together.

The deposits are spread throughout tiny vein-like networks all over the world, say researchers who took samples from the Precambrian shield rocks – the oldest in the Earth’s crust – at 19 mines in Canada, South Africa and Scandinavia.

The journal Nature reports that the oldest source, found 1.5 miles down a mine in Canada, could be up to 2.7 billion years old.

Scientists say the water is rich in hydrogen, meaning it could support life – but is far too thick and salty for drinking. - Daily Mail

Related Topics: