时差N小时 地幔的奥秘(下)（在线收听）

Now, however, with the help of sophisticated computers,

然而现在凭借先进的计算机,

scientists have discovered what seem to be superplumes, more intense thunderstorms, if you will.

科学家们已经发现了似乎是超级地幔柱的存在, 如果你愿意的话，这会带来更为猛烈的暴风雨。

The computers produced 3D images of the mantle that suggest the existence of a superplume under Africa

电脑制作的地幔3D图像表明超级地幔柱可能位于非洲下面,

and possibly another one under the Pacific.

或者可能另一个位于太平洋。

Some scientists suggest that these superplumes may be responsible for the strange shape of the Hawaii-Emperor seamount chain on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

一些科学家认为,这些超级地幔柱可能就是造成太平洋海底夏威夷-皇帝海山链之所以奇怪形状的原因。

This long chain of undersea mountains, formed over time as the crust moved across a hot spot in the mantle,makes a sharp 45 degree turn around Midway Island.

当地壳通过地幔一处热点,以45度转身前往中途岛时这条海底山脉的长链随着时间的推移最终形成。

The scientists propose that these superplumes may be responsible for pushing the crustal plates almost to the point of making them reverse directions.

科学家们认为,这些超级地幔柱可能推动地壳板块向某一点运动使它们扭转方向。