by A team of geologists from the University of Alberta, Northwestern University and the University of Glasgow has found a previously unknown mineral in a diamond that formed at great depth.
“Goldschmidtite has high concentrations of niobium, potassium, and the rare earth elements lanthanum and cerium, whereas the rest of the mantle is dominated by other elements, such as magnesium and iron,” said Nicole Meyer, a PhD student at the University of Alberta.
“For potassium and niobium to constitute a major proportion of this mineral, it must have formed under exceptional processes that concentrated these unusual elements.”
Goldschmidtite is thought to have formed at a depth of about 106 miles (170 km) below the surface.
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“Goldschmidtite has high concentrations of niobium, potassium, and the rare earth elements lanthanum and cerium, whereas the rest of the mantle is dominated by other elements, such as magnesium and iron,” said Nicole Meyer, a PhD student at the University of Alberta.
“For potassium and niobium to constitute a major proportion of this mineral, it must have formed under exceptional processes that concentrated these unusual elements.”
Goldschmidtite is thought to have formed at a depth of about 106 miles (170 km) below the surface.
Continued...
Source
