For the first time ever , geologist work in Antarctica have come up a type of rock that ’s known to bear diamond — a find that could expose the pivotal continent to opportunist prospectors .
Called kimberlite , it ’s a volcanic John Rock named after the townsfolk of Kimberley in South Africa , where the discovery of an 83.5 - carat ( 16.7 g ) diamond in 1871 beef - started a diamond surge . These rocks appear in perpendicular structures called kimberlite pipes — the exclusive most important beginning of mined diamonds today . The rocks were found around Mount Meredith in the Prince Charles Mountains .
The geologist who discovered the kimberlite samples did n’t incur any diamond , but they ’re now wondering if the frosty continent contains vast mineral rich people .
Antarctica is currently off limit to mining . In 1991 , 50 signatory sign the Antarctic Treaty , an environmental accord that ’s coif to decease in 2041 . The treaty was put in place as a room to bear on the continent for scientific enquiry and wildlife . The accord , which is only binding to the 50 Nation who signed it ( admit the US and China ) , is expected to be extended when it expires .
But as Reutersreports , that ’s no guarantee :
“ We do not know what the Treaty Parties ’ scene will be on mining after 2041 or what engineering science might exist that could make extraction of Antarctic minerals economically viable , ” sound out Kevin Hughes , of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research .
Mr Riley said there was a fine strain between geological mapping and prospect with an eye to mining . Nations including Russia , Ukraine and China have been more participating in surveying Antarctica in late years .
Indeed , if there ’s diamonds in them thar icy hills , it wo n’t be easy to evoke . The geologists who conducted the study doubtfulness that the find could be commercially viable , cite Antarctica ’s remoteness , cold , and winter darkness . But where there ’s a will — or earnings — there ’s a way .
Read the entire study at Nature Communications : “ The breakthrough of kimberlite in Antarctica poke out the vast Gondwanan Cretaceous province . ”
have-to doe with : Canada says it owns the North Pole
https://gizmodo.com/canada-says-it-owns-the-north-pole-despite-not-having-1480466907
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