Unraveling the Mystery: Scientists Crack the Secret of Diamond Eruptions
Scientists have discovered the processes that cause powerful volcanic eruptions to propel diamonds high into the sky and scatter them across the Earth's surface. By analyzing historical data on continental plates and diamond-bearing rocks called kimberlites, researchers found that most kimberlite eruptions occurred about 25 million years after continental plates tore apart. The process starts when continental plates are stretched during rifting, causing disruptions in the mantle and breaking off chunks of rock. Over millions of years, carbon deposits in these rocks can transform into diamonds. The chunks of rock sink into the mantle, triggering disruptive flows that strip layers of rock from the bottom of the plate, leading to the formation of diamond-bearing kimberlite magma. Understanding these processes can help identify areas with the most potential for diamond deposits.