Water‑Rich Crust Dripped into Early Earth’s Mantle, Fueling Volcanism 3 Billion Years Ago

New research on ancient rocks from Western Australia shows that water entered the deep Earth more than three billion years ago, well before modern plate tectonics were established. Scientists interpret the data as evidence that water‑laden fragments of the crust periodically sank into the mantle in a process they term “dripduction.” The subducted water then facilitated the formation of magma, triggering volcanic eruptions. The study, based on isotopic signatures and mineral assemblages preserved in the rocks, suggests that early Earth’s internal dynamics were already complex enough to transport surface fluids to great depths. By linking deep‑mantle water to magma production, the work provides a new mechanism for early volcanic activity and offers a fresh angle for modeling the planet’s formative geologic processes.