Researchers have discovered high concentrations of the radioactive isotope beryllium-10 in Pacific seabed samples, believed to have formed during a cosmic event over 10 million years ago. Using advanced Accelerator Mass Spectrometry to analyze the samples, they found that beryllium-10 levels were nearly double the expected amount. This anomaly supports two potential explanations, one relating to terrestrial processes and another hinting at an extraterrestrial cause, inviting deeper exploration into historical blasts of cosmic radiation and their impact on Earth's geological record.
In their study, published in Nature Communications, the researchers looked at the accumulation of Beryllium-10 in the seabed deep below the Pacific Ocean. They found that the levels of beryllium-10 were almost twice what they had expected. This anomaly points to a possible blast of radiation from space that occurred more than 10 million years ago, leading to unusual isotopic levels.
Dr. Dominik Koll states, 'We had stumbled upon a previously undiscovered anomaly.' This finding has left scientists puzzled, as standard expectations of beryllium-10 accumulation were significantly exceeded, raising intriguing questions about cosmic events and their impact on Earth.
The researchers argue that there are two possible explanations for this strange phenomenon: one earthly and one extraterrestrial. The discovery urges further investigation into ancient cosmic events and their possible effects on Earth's geology.
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