A piece of a lost continent has been discovered in South Canada’s Baffin Island hiding in rocks that originated in Earth’s interior, where diamonds form.
The continent evidence was concealed in a type of diamond-bearing volcanic rock, known as kimberlite. The kimberlite from Baffin Island was collected by a diamond mining and manufacturing company.
The mineral chemistry of the Baffin Island kimberlite matched that from an ancient and long-lost continent that formed nearly 3 billion years ago and broke up 150 million years ago. A portion of that “lost” continent still anchors part of North America.
About Kimberlite
- The rock kimberlite was named after Kimberley, South Africa, where it was first recognized.
- These are volcanic eruptions that bring material from the depths where diamonds can form.
- Unlike many geologic processes, a kimberlite eruption could launch rocks from the mantle at over 250 kilometers an hour.
References
- Live Science-Piece of lost continent discovered beneath Canada.
- Wired-The Crazy Eruptions That Spit Up Diamonds
