Scientists find signs of Earth’s crust peeling away beneath California

Scientists have discovered portions of the Earth’s crust sinking into the mantle beneath California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. This phenomenon, occurring over millions of years, helps explain continental formation through the process of differentiation, where denser crust layers are absorbed into the mantle, leaving lighter layers behind.

​Scientists have discovered portions of the Earth’s crust sinking into the mantle beneath California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. This phenomenon, occurring over millions of years, helps explain continental formation through the process of differentiation, where denser crust layers are absorbed into the mantle, leaving lighter layers behind.