Recently, researchers found an African diamond that contains a compound that is usually unable to exist on Earth's surface, davemaoite, which is seen as black flecks on the diamond's surface. This product is formed at very high temperatures, so it is usually found deep within the Earth. Davemaoite consists mainly of calcium silicate, but can also have traces of uranium, thorium, and potassium. These compounds are able to generate a lot of heat in the Earth's mantle, which is found between its crust and core. This means davemaoite plays a role in how heat moves and cycles through the layers of the Earth. It makes up most of the Earth's mantle, accounting for around 5-7% of the material within this layer. Since the mineral is found at such high temperatures, it mostly exists 660-2700 km below Earth's surface. So, how was a sample of this mineral acquired? Well, the strength of the diamond allowed the embedded pieces to exist at higher pressures. This specific sample was found in 1987, and has been studied for the last 30 years! https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-03409-2 -Emma Alderman-Shapiro (7)"
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Diamonds have more benefits than just sitting prettily on someone's finger.
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Hi Emma, I really enjoyed this post. That is so amazing that this type of diamond is usually founds far under ground, but ti made its way up here! Do you know if they have found any others since 1987?
ReplyDeleteRight?! From what I understand from the article, they haven't found any other sources since then. They were just able to identify this one!
Delete-Emma Alderman-Shapiro
Hi emma,
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this diamond so it was interesting to read about. Do you know what else the material could be used for? Also I wonder what other functions it plays that deep in Earth
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteLike others have said, I have never heard of this diamond before. Seeing as it is normally found at extremely high temperatures, do you know if they have to preserve the diamond in a specific setting?
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteIt really is interesting how a diamond that is usually so deep in the Earth was been able to be found near the surface. Maybe something under the Earth is causing these layers to push these minerals up to the surface. Very interesting read, might have to look up more about it!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThis is new to me since I also have never heard of this diamond. It is really interesting how diamonds can be found in unexpected areas due to Earth's movements, causing layers to push such minerals to the surface.
- Tugba Kahveci
I think so too! I think it's so interesting that we were able to mine a diamond that has these properties! It doesn't seem like something humans would be able to obtain.
Delete-Emma Alderman-Shapiro
This is a very interesting post and I never knew such an element existed. I wonder why sorts of uses this element could have in the future.
ReplyDelete-David Miropolsky
That's super interesting! I had no idea- Does davemoite have any sort of health benefits? What sorts of things does it do?
ReplyDelete-Charissa Yu
Unfortunately, not enough research has been done around this topic. I believe all they know regarding davemoite's properties is it's ability to help create heat in the lower layers of the Earth.
Delete-Emma Alderman-Shapiro
Hi Emma, this was very interesting because I had no idea a material like davemoite existed. This must've made the piece of diamond extremely expensive im assuming. I wonder what other materials can be discovered by being trapped in diamonds
ReplyDeleteI never knew much about diamonds, but this was an interesting read! Its surprising how they can be found in different areas like that.
ReplyDelete-Lara Pereira
Hi Emma,
ReplyDeleteThis post was very interesting to read. I didn't think diamonds served a purpose other than looking pretty. Who knew diamonds could regulate heat in the Earth's layers?
Morianna Saint-Cyr