"Discovery of Sunken Island Loaded with Rare Earth Minerals Sparks Ownership Debate"
Researchers from the University of São Paulo have discovered that the Rio Grande Rise, a submerged basaltic plateau in the South Atlantic Ocean, was once a tropical island teeming with minerals and lush vegetation between 45 million and 40 million years ago. The area harbors abundant cobalt, nickel, lithium, tellurium, and rare earth elements crucial for the energy transition. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest potential economic opportunities but also highlight the need for environmental impact assessments to protect the ecosystem services and natural processes of the region.