Johns Hopkins Geologist Bruce Marsh,

¶ … Johns Hopkins geologist Bruce Marsh, who first suggested a decade ago that, magmatic mush rather than crystal free magma was instrumental in the formation of the earth's crust. This mush consisted of both magma and crystal, and occurred in smaller sheetlike chambers rather than the giant chambers of previous assumption. The smaller chambers are vertically connected, which connections also served as pathways for the magma to reach the earth's crust.

To further investigate his theories, Marsh is now researching the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Because the territory in this location precludes human habitation, little has changed in the crust pattern of this location. For this reason, Marsh and his associates have come to refer to the Valleys as a "walk-in laboratory" or a "relic landscape." According to the article, it is the only place on earth that looks almost exactly like it did millions of years ago.

As such, the Dry Valleys date back nearly 180 million years ago, around the time of the continents splitting. From his study of this location, Marsh has found that the process of magma pressure did not only form the earth's crust, but also fractured what was already in existence of the earth's crust. Marsh explains that this is a process resulting from pressure underneath the crust causing stress fractures. These fractures were in turn sealed by further magma deposits, which created a pattern of weak points on the crust. Finally, these were eroded to form the mountains and valleys currently visible in the area.

Marsh's study is highly significant in the field of geology, as it brings together two widely divergent areas of study: that of deep volcanic activity and that of land surface formation. These have never been studied concomitantly before. Marsh's new discoveries opens up a vast new field of study within the discipline. Furthermore, the results have repercussions for filling currently existing gaps in the study of the earth's formation.

Furthermore, this study also has repercussions for other areas of study. Scientists at times fail to recognize that their assumptions and hypotheses can be incorrect. Proving conclusively that another probability exists than the one that has been accepted for decades, Marsh's work has repercussions not only for his own discipline, but also for other areas of study that pertains to ancient history.

A further understanding of the earth's crust, its formation and its evolution can shed valuable light on the working of fault lines and earthquakes as they manifest themselves today. In terms of modern society, this can further prove very important in saving lives by more accurately predicting major earthquakes. With new developments, the study of the earth's crust can also help to identify areas of possible instability when building new homes or places of business.

In terms of the wider scientific community, discoveries such as those mentioned in the article forms a valuable basis for interdisciplinary study. In this way, scientists can work together in discovering the past in order to create a better, more valuable, and more prosperous future for humanity and all the life forms sharing the earth.