Ancient subduction zones could guide a new hunt for rare earth deposits
TL;DR
A Science Advances study links rare earth element formation to fertilized mantle regions created by fluids released at ancient subduction zones; alkaline and carbonatite magmas hosting these elements cluster above these fertilized mantle zones, and a majority of known deposits lie there, offering a targeted strategy for locating large reserves.
Topics:science#alkaline-magmas#carbonatite-magmas#mantle#rare-earth-elements#science#subduction-zones
- Ancient process that created rare earth elements discovered — and it could help us locate desperately needed deposits Live Science
- Tectonic map reveals most rare earth elements formed in ancient subduction zones Earth.com
- Ancient tectonic zones hold key to locating rare earth elements: study El.kz
- Ancient tectonic processes are the key to locating rare minerals Phys.org
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