Giant Gravity Hole Mystery Beneath Indian Ocean Uncovered by Scientists [Study]

A giant gravity hole beneath the Indian Ocean has been a mystery for several decades since its discovery in 1948. Different theories have come up to explain the gravity discrepancy. There has been no concrete evidence that explains its origin and nature. However, a new study led by scientists from India indicates indicate they have uncovered long-unanswered questions about the said 'gravity anomaly' in the ocean.

Scientific findings in the study reveal that the gravity hole was related to the remains of an ancient ocean in the area that once existed millions of years ago. In addition, the breakthrough research also confirms existing evidence that the shape of the Earth and gravity across the planet are not equal. Regardless, scientists agreed that further research is needed to understand the anomaly.

Indian Ocean Gravity Hole

(Photo : Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash)

Findings about the Indian Ocean gravity hole, officially called the Indian Ocean geoid low (IOGL), have been published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The study indicates that giant gravity could be the "ghost of an ancient sea," according to the website Scientific American.

As mentioned earlier, the findings confirm but also debunk the theory that Earth has a shape of a perfect sphere with equal gravity from all its force. However, the new study sheds light on this inaccurate reality of our world.

Now, two researchers, Debanjan Pal and Attreyee Ghosh, from the Indian Institute of Science stated they know what created the gravity anomaly. They theorized that molten rock plumes from tectonic plates in the mantle as a result of an ancient ocean 600 miles under the planet's crust, specifically under Africa, caused the said Indian Ocean dip, as cited by the BBC.

The study is based on long-time mystery that baffled experts as to why a seabed area in the Indian Ocean, covering over 2 million square miles, dis far lower than its surrounding area.

Also Read: Researchers Identify Black Holes of the Ocean

What is Gravity?

In the field of physics, gravity is a fundamental force that relative to the mass of an object and others surrounding it. The basic law of nature shows that the greater the mass, the stronger the gravity. Distance also plays a significant factor when it comes to an object attracting another. For instance, different celestial bodies like planets and stars have their own gravitational force.

In this context, a gravity anomaly (discrepancy in the gravitational force) just like the gravity hole in the Indian Ocean is significant since it somehow defies the laws of nature. On Earth, gravity does not only pull all matter and objects towards it, but also brings balance to our planet when it comes to our position in the Solar System.

Aside from mass, gravity can also pull light, a principle discovered by Albert Einstein, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Black holes are known for preventing light from escaping. However, without gravity, humans and other living organisms on Earth will not survive, as it also keeps our world's oceans and atmosphere intact and even sunlight tolerable, NASA adds.

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