A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature has unveiled new evidence suggesting that remnants of the planet responsible for the formation of the Moon may still be buried deep within Earth's core. The study sheds light on the long-standing mystery surrounding the origin of our Moon and provides key insights into the Earth's internal structure and the evolution of the solar system.

Scientists from an international, interdisciplinary team have identified Large Low-Velocity Provinces (LLVPs) in the Earth's mantle, which could be remnants of the protoplanet called Theia. Theia, roughly the size of Mars, is believed to have collided with Earth billions of years ago, ejecting enough material to form the Moon. However, the new study suggests that Theia's impact on our planet is ongoing, as it continues to influence the forces within Earth's interior.

This discovery challenges previous theories on the Moon's formation and the homogenization of the early Earth. It is now believed that the Moon-forming giant impact led to the heterogeneity of Earth's mantle, marking the starting point for the geological evolution that has occurred over the past 4.5 billion years.

The study also highlights the existence of two anomalous regions, the LLVPs, located beneath the African and Pacific tectonic plates. These regions have significant implications for mantle evolution and plate structures, and their origins may be linked to the entry of Theian material into Earth's lower mantle.

By analyzing rock samples and refining giant impact models, scientists aim to unravel the history of the inner solar system's formation. The findings demonstrate that the Earth's interior is far from uniform, with traces of Theian material shaping our planet's geological evolution even today.