Pieces of Another Planet Are Embedded Deep Within Earth, Scientists Claim

Many experts believe that Earth likely collided with a small planet not long after Earth's formation. Now a team has proposed that huge sections of planet Theia remain pooled in the Earth's mantle.

By Matt Hrodey
Nov 8, 2023 8:00 PM
Proto-earth collides with Theia.
Proto-earth collides with Theia. (Credit: Hernan Canellas/ASU)

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An ancient planet named Theia collided with Earth some 4.5 billion years ago and left large amounts of its iron-rich material embedded in our planet, according to a new study.

Researchers first identified the material by studying seismic waves, which travel more slowly in the denser material. The continent-sized deposits lie beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean and are each about twice the size of the moon.

Earth's Collision With an Ancient Planet

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