Geologists from Germany made a discovery that could revolutionize our understanding of the interior of the Earth. Analysis of lava from the Hawaiian Islands has revealed the presence of the rare metal ruthenium, which scientists believe could only have reached the surface from the planet’s core. This proves that the deep layers of the Earth exchange matter.
Why is the discovery of ruthenium so important? This metal belongs to the platinum group and has a high affinity for iron. It was believed that during the formation of the planet, almost all of the ruthenium went into the iron core, and only traces of it remained in the earth’s crust and mantle. The discovery of noticeable concentrations in volcanic rocks became a real sensation in the scientific world.
German researchers used advanced isotope analysis and identified abnormally high proportions of the isotope ruthenium-100 in Hawaiian lava. According to them, such an isotope ratio is possible only in one case – if the material comes from areas close to the core. This is direct evidence of the connection between the core and volcanoes.
For a long time, the dominant theory in geology was that the core and mantle have been isolated from each other for more than four billion years. However, a combined study of ruthenium and tungsten isotopes in Hawaiian basalts indicates otherwise. Scientists emphasize that the best explanation is the mixing of lava with material from the core.
This discovery has enormous practical significance. It may explain the origin of strategically important rare minerals in the earth’s crust. metals, such as platinum and gold. These elements are critically needed for modern technologies – from electronics and green energy to medicine. Thus, volcanoes like those in Hawaii act as unique windows into the depths of our planet, bringing particles from its very heart to the surface.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.
Source: pravda.ru
