The Bermuda Triangle might have more to offer than just enigmatic tales. Recent research published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals intriguing details about why Bermuda hasn’t sunk since its volcanoes last erupted over 30 million years ago.
Normally, when volcanoes stop erupting, the tectonic plate shifts, and the land slowly sinks due to the cooling crust. But in Bermuda’s case, scientists have discovered a surprising rock layer beneath the oceanic crust that keeps the island elevated. This layer is about 12.4 miles thick, a thickness unlike anything found elsewhere in the world.
A team of researchers led by William Frazer from Carnegie Science and Jeffrey Park from Yale University examined seismic waves from 396 strong earthquakes. These waves helped them create a detailed image of the rocks beneath Bermuda, revealing a thick, less dense layer that supports the island.
Typically, beneath oceanic crust, one would expect to find the Earth’s mantle. However, in Bermuda, this unusual layer sits within the tectonic plate, providing unexpected stability. “There’s something unique about Bermuda, and that’s worth exploring further,” Frazer shared.
Bermuda sits on an oceanic swell, rising about 1,640 feet above the surrounding seabed. Researchers propose that the last volcanic activity might have introduced mantle rock into the crust, forming a kind of “raft” above the ocean floor. While the origin of this layer is still under investigation, Park noted that some magma might have solidified beneath the Earth’s crust, contributing to this unique geological structure.
Despite no volcanic activity for millions of years, Bermuda remains elevated. Sarah Mazza, a geologist at Smith College, remarked on the significance of this history. “This area was once the center of the last supercontinent, which is likely part of what makes it special,” she said.
Frazer is now exploring whether similar geological layers exist beneath other islands worldwide. “Studying a unique place like Bermuda helps us understand normal geological processes and the extreme ones,” he added. Understanding these distinctions can inform us about Earth’s geothermal dynamics and encourage further research into oceanic geological formations.
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