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A new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas.
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The researchers detected a layer of molten rock under Earth's tectonic plates about 100 miles from the surface, with temperatures exceeding 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
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The layer is part of the asthenosphere in the upper mantle that provides needed topography for plate tectonic movement.
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Previously, scientists believed molten melt existed in patches, but the new findings reveal its global extent.
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The molten layer has a minor effect on the viscosity of the mantle flow.
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The heat and rock in the mantle have the most influence on the motion of tectonic plates.
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The molten layer is a byproduct of what is happening on Earth and doesn't have any influence on plate tectonics.
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The study provides a better understanding of the internal dynamics of the planet and the physical properties of a boundary layer critical for life on Earth.
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The lead researcher from the University of Texas says that over long periods of time, rocks can shift and flow like honey.
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The co-author from Cornell University says the study is important for everything including life on Earth.