A rare diamond found in Brazil may settle an ongoing dispute over whether or not the Earth’s mantle holds water.
While in very bad shape and really not worth anything in the commercial market, the diamond has what’s called ringwoodite, which is an olivine compound that only forms under extreme pressure. According to HNGN, this diamond confirms the theory that this is what is found about 320 to 410 miles deep into the mantle.
Ringwoodite has 1.5 percent water in it, which would also suggest that there is water within the mantle.
The diamond was brought up by a volcanic eruption called a kimberlite, which is fast and extremely pressurized. Finding the ringwoodite was completely accidental, and scientists were researching a different topic with the diamond when it was discovered. Researchers believe, however, that this is not the first time scientists have found the mineral, just the first time it was reported.
According to Live Science, this is the first time this mineral has been found in anything other than meteorites or in laboratories.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
