"Dazzling Diamond Fountains: Earth's Center Unleashes Sparkling Spectacle during Supercontinent Breakup"

The breakup of supercontinents, such as Pangaea, may trigger explosive eruptions called kimberlites, which bring diamonds shooting up to the Earth's surface. Researchers have found a correlation between the ages of kimberlites and plate fragmentation, with eruptions peaking 22 to 30 million years after the plates start to pull apart. Computer models suggest that when tectonic plates separate, the base of the continental crust thins, creating unstable regions that gradually migrate towards the center of the continent. These instabilities allow for the mixing of materials, including diamonds, resulting in explosive eruptions. The findings could aid in the search for undiscovered diamond deposits and explain other volcanic eruptions that occur long after supercontinent breakup.