An unusual mineral not found on Earth has been discovered

This is an incredible discovery. This kind has never been seen before Calcium Silicate PerovskiteBut scientists have speculated that it may be hiding beneath the surface. Thanks to him, we will learn more about the environment in the interior of our planet. A small mineral, several micrometers in size, was trapped inside the diamond.

It was discovered in a mine in Botswana. It was formed at a depth of more than 660 kilometers, which is the upper limit of the lower mantle of the Earth. Its journey from the interior to the surface of the fog could take up to 1.5 billion years. Dawemaoit It is formed under the influence of extremely high pressure (more than 200,000 times the pressure prevailing at the surface) and high temperature.

The dawemaoite in diamond was discovered by chance by scientists from University of Nevada. Experience the diamond with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy. On this basis, it was determined that it contains a certain type of calcium silicate perovskite.

Geologists estimate that about 5-7% of the Earth’s lower mantle must have been made of Dawemaoit. Unfortunately, this is just a theory that we will never confirm because it is formed deep in the earth More than 600 kmThat we don’t have the technology to verify this, and soon we won’t. It is a pity, because scientists consider it a kind of time capsule. Their research may allow us to learn about the history of the formation of the interior of our planet, and more precisely the release of heat by decay of radioactive elementsThe water and carbon cycles.

Interestingly, before the discovery of dynamite, scientists were sure that it would be pure calcium silicate perovskite. This is what lab tests show. Meanwhile, large amounts of potassium were found in the sample. Scientists were surprised by this fact, but positively, because it is very valuable information. First, it is very likely that we will be able to find more of them exactly in the places where they are There are rich deposits of this element.