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Scientists Discover Massive Water Reservoir Deep Beneath Earth

4/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Geophysicist Steven Jacobsen led a study that found a water reservoir 700 kilometers beneath Earth’s surface.
The reservoir, contained in ringwoodite, holds three times the volume of all surface oceans.
The findings challenge the comet-delivery theory and suggest oceans seep from the interior, potentially stabilizing surface ocean volumes.
The study used over 2,000 seismometers across the United States and a diamond containing ringwoodite as physical evidence.

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Story summary

Geophysicist Steven Jacobsen led a study that found a water reservoir 700 kilometers beneath Earth’s surface.
The reservoir, contained in ringwoodite, holds three times the volume of all surface oceans.
The findings challenge the comet-delivery theory and suggest oceans seep from the interior, potentially stabilizing surface ocean volumes.
The study used over 2,000 seismometers across the United States and a diamond containing ringwoodite as physical evidence.