This is known as lithospheric foundering, a process where a portion of Earth's lithosphere (the rigid outer layer of the Earth) becomes too dense and sinks into the underlying, softer mantle.

IFLScience needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

Discover why Africa is slowly splitting into two continents due to the East African Rift. This geological transformation, ...

Shortlisted for landscape project of the year at Dezeen Awards 2020, French landscape architects Mosbach Paysagistes has explored the concept of lithosphere design in its overhaul of Phase Shifts ...