Study Links Ancient Subduction to Formation of Critical Mineral-Rich Carbonatite Deposits
By
Alka Tripathy-Lang
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
A new scientific study reveals that ancient subduction processes may have seeded the formation of carbonatite deposits, which are a major source of critical minerals. Carbonatites, found on every continent and ranging from modern to 3 billion years old, are composed of over 50% carbonate minerals and produce the coldest lava on Earth at Tanzania's Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano. The research suggests that the fertilized mantle lithosphere plays a crucial first step in forming these mineral-rich deposits, which are increasingly important for modern technology and green energy transitions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe weirdest volcano in the world may be Tanzania's towering Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active peak that squeezes out a strange, low-temperature lava called carbonatite.
Carbonatites are composed of more than 50% carbonate minerals, the same substances that form the ocean's reefs.
Carbonatites are found on every continent and range in age from today-ish years old (in Tanzania) to about 3 billion years old (in Greenland).
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