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06:04
Simulation of the Planetary Interior Differentiation Processes in the Laboratory
Published on: November 15, 2013
Diamonds sampled by plumes from the core-mantle boundary
Trond H Torsvik1, Kevin Burke, Bernhard Steinberger
1Physics of Geological Processes and Geosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway. trond.torsvik@ngu.no
Nature
|July 16, 2010
Summary
Kimberlite eruptions, the primary source of diamonds, are linked to deep mantle structures. Future diamond exploration should focus on ancient cratons overlying these stable, deep-earth zones.
Area of Science:
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Mineralogy
Background:
- Diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle (>150 km) and are brought to the surface by kimberlites.
- Kimberlites erupting from ancient cratons (continental lithosphere >2.5 billion years old, >300 km thick) are the main source of economically viable diamond resources.
- Kimberlites offer insights into the deep subcontinental mantle lithosphere and processes at the mantle interface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the deep mantle controls on kimberlite eruption distribution.
- To identify geological factors guiding future diamond exploration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized plate reconstructions to analyze historical continental positions.
- Employed seismic tomographic images to map deep mantle structures.
- Correlated kimberlite distribution with deep mantle heterogeneities.
Main Results:
- Identified stable deep mantle heterogeneities (>200 million years, possibly 540 million years) at the core-mantle boundary.
- Demonstrated that the edges of these deep mantle structures correlate with most Phanerozoic kimberlite eruptions.
- Showed that ancient cratons overlying these plume-generation zones are key to kimberlite occurrence.
Conclusions:
- Deep mantle structures significantly influence the location of kimberlite eruptions.
- Future kimberlite and diamond exploration should target continents with ancient cratons situated above these deep mantle features.
- Understanding deep Earth dynamics is crucial for locating diamond resources.
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