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The Quran describes mountains as having roots, akin to pegs that anchor a tent. Skeptics once questioned this analogy, as ancient understanding of mountains did not recognize their subterranean extensions. Modern geology, however, confirms that mountains indeed have deep roots, extending far below the Earth's surface.
In Surah An-Naba (78:7), Allah describes mountains:
and ˹made˺ the mountains as ˹its˺ pegs,78:7
Pegs, like those used in tents, consist of a visible portion above ground and a hidden portion beneath. This description aligns with the geological structure of mountains, which have vast roots that extend deep into the Earth's crust and mantle.
Mountain roots are the downward extensions of the crust that balance the immense weight of mountains, much like icebergs that float with most of their mass submerged. This phenomenon is explained by isostasy, where the Earth's crust adjusts to maintain equilibrium.
Mount Everest, the Earth's highest peak at 8.8 km above sea level, has roots extending approximately 250 km deep into the mantle, according to a 2010 study published in the journal Geology. This depth is attributed to the collision of tectonic plates, where the heavier Indian plate subducts beneath the lighter Asian plate.
The concept of mountain roots was first proposed in the 19th century by scientists like George Airy and John Pratt, based on gravitational measurements. Contemporary research, such as seismic imaging, has confirmed these roots and provided detailed maps of their extent.
During the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the prevailing understanding of mountains was limited to their visible peaks. The idea of hidden roots was beyond the scope of available knowledge. Scientific Precision in the Quran: The Quran's analogy of mountains as "pegs" prefigures modern geological findings. This metaphor captures the dual nature of mountains—visible peaks and deep roots—consistent with scientific observations.
The Quran’s description of mountains as pegs, with parts extending below the surface, aligns remarkably with modern geological discoveries about mountain roots. This is yet another example of the Quran describing natural phenomena with a precision that was only validated centuries later.