All Images
News Release 13-045
Scientists Discover Layer of Liquified Molten Rock in Earth's Mantle
Hidden magma layer could play role in shaping the geologic face of our planet
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
![Marine scientists on a ship at sea hauling in an electromagnetic receiver.](/news/mmg/media/images/molten_rock1_f.jpg)
Marine scientists haul in a successfully recovered marine electromagnetic receiver.
Credit: Kerry Key
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (465 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Map showing the survey region where the research was conducted.](/news/mmg/media/images/molten_rock2_f.jpg)
Map of the survey region where the research was conducted.
Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (499 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Photo of a crew on a ship using a crane to deploy a receiver in the ocean](/news/mmg/media/images/molten_rock3_f.jpg)
Crew deploying an ocean bottom electromagnetic receiver in the ocean off Nicaragua's shores.
Credit: Kerry Key
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (2 MB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Illustration showing recently discovered magma layer releative to the coast of Nicaragua](/news/mmg/media/images/molten_rock4_f.jpg)
Orange-colored area enclosed by dashed line denotes recently discovered magma layer.
Credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (149 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.
![Researcher on a ship pulls a receiver from the ocean using a crane](/news/mmg/media/images/molten_rock5_f.jpg)
Researchers pull an ocean bottom electromagnetic receiver onto the vessel Melville's deck.
Credit: Kerry Key
Download the high-resolution JPG version of the image. (533 KB)
Use your mouse to right-click (Mac users may need to Ctrl-click) the link above and choose the option that will save the file or target to your computer.