What scientists found beneath the Bermuda Triangle could rewrite Earth science

Scientists believe they may have solved one of the Atlantic Ocean’s long-standing geological mysteries after discovering a huge underground rock structure beneath Bermuda that appears to be keeping the island elevated above the surrounding seafloor.

The findings come from a new study led by William Frazer of the Carnegie Institution for Science and Jeffrey Park of Yale University.

For decades, geologists were puzzled by why Bermuda remained significantly higher than the surrounding Atlantic Ocean floor despite its volcanoes becoming inactive more than 30 million years ago.

Bermuda does not behave like other volcanic islands

Most volcanic island chains, including Hawaii, are formed by mantle plumes — giant columns of hot rock rising from deep within Earth’s mantle.

These plumes push upward, creating volcanoes and raising the seafloor. Over time, once volcanic activity stops and tectonic plates move away, the elevated region usually cools and slowly sinks.

However, Bermuda did not follow this pattern.

Scientists found that Bermuda still sits roughly 1,600 feet higher than the surrounding ocean floor even though volcanic activity there ended millions of years ago.

Earthquake waves helped scientists see underground

To investigate the mystery, researchers analysed seismic waves produced by large earthquakes around the world.

As these waves move through Earth, they travel at different speeds depending on the type and density of the material they pass through.

Using recordings from a seismic monitoring station on Bermuda, the team created an image of underground structures extending nearly 20 miles below the island.

Huge “floating” rock layer discovered

The study revealed a massive layer of unusually light rock more than 12 miles thick beneath Bermuda’s crust.

Researchers say the material is less dense than the surrounding mantle, making it highly buoyant.

Instead of being supported by an active mantle plume, Bermuda appears to sit on this lighter underground structure, which scientists compared to a floating raft holding up the island and surrounding seafloor.

The process is known as “underplating”, where molten material intrudes into the lower crust and later cools into a stable layer.

Possible connection to ancient supercontinent Pangea

Scientists believe the rock may have formed hundreds of millions of years ago during the formation of Pangea.

According to the researchers, carbon-rich molten mantle material may have become trapped beneath Bermuda during ancient tectonic movements and later cooled into the buoyant structure discovered today.

Frazer said Bermuda’s geological behaviour does not fully match the traditional scientific model used to explain volcanic islands.

He noted that the discovery suggests Earth’s mantle may contain additional convective processes that scientists still do not fully understand.

Discovery could reshape geological theories

Researchers now plan to study whether similar underground structures exist beneath other islands around the world.

If comparable formations are discovered elsewhere, scientists say the findings could significantly reshape current understanding of volcanic island formation, mantle movement and Earth’s internal geological processes.

The study has also renewed public fascination with the Bermuda Triangle, a region long associated with mystery stories and unexplained disappearances, although the research itself focuses entirely on geology rather than paranormal theories.

Scientists say the discovery offers a real scientific explanation for why Bermuda has remained elevated for millions of years despite its ancient volcanic origins.