Gravity Anomalies from Deep Mantle Iron Spin Transitions: A Planetary Laboratory for Quantum Gravity Models and General Relativity
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Recent results by Gaugne Gouranton et al. (2025, GRL) revealed transient gravity anomalies detected by GRACE during phase transitions in the lowermost mantle (D″). These signals, involving density contrasts of ~100 kg m⁻³, coincide with geomagnetic perturbations previously observed over the Atlantic Ocean. Because these mantle phase transitions are inherently quantum-mechanical — driven by reorganization of Fe spin states — their macroscopic signatures in the gravity field represent an opportunity to evaluate competing gravitational theories in the context of quantum physics. The observed anomalies are nearly two orders of magnitude larger than predicted by general relativity, but consistent with amplification by coherent domain effects in quantum gravity models. We propose that Earth’s deep mantle provides a planetary-scale laboratory for evaluating both general relativity — the dominant framework but with known limitations — and quantum gravity models, offering a proving ground for quantum gravity alternatives that remain untested.
Author: Moses Turkle Bility
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4414601240
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