Supercomputers Unveil Diamond-Forming 'Pillars of Heat' in Earth's Depths

Supercomputer modeling has revealed that giant "pillars of heat" rooted 2,900 kilometers below ground, just above Earth's core, fuel the small yet powerful volcanic eruptions of kimberlite rock that bring diamonds close to the surface. The modeling also predicts previously undiscovered kimberlite eruptions in East Antarctica and Western Australia. Understanding Earth's internal history can help target mineral reserves, including not only diamonds but also crucial minerals such as nickel and rare earth elements.