Diamonds are considered a precious ornament and wealth that many desire to possess. They are one of the most important types of precious and rare stones, having been used in the past for adornment, trade exchanges, and even in medicine and treatments. In ancient times, diamond extraction used simple and easy methods by digging through volcanic remnants on the surface of the earth or nearby, without the need to drill deep into the soil. However, these primitive methods do not allow for the extraction of diamonds in large quantities suitable for trade, which is why extraction processes have evolved to involve deeper drilling.
Recent research, however, indicates that waterfalls of diamonds can be released to the surface of the earth as part of a significant geological event such as a volcanic eruption. The fragmentation of the continental plates could lead to diamonds emerging from deep within the earth, according to research conducted by Thomas Gernon, a professor of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Southampton. Diamonds are formed at a depth of about 150 kilometers underground and are propelled upwards by "kimberlite" eruptions, which are volcanic rocks that can travel at speeds of up to 133 kilometers per hour and create immense explosions on the surface, as stated in a study published in the journal "Nature".
Gernon and his team investigated these kimberlites and found that volcanic eruptions occur regularly after about 22 to 30 million years from the onset of plate fragmentation. One case mentioned in the research occurred about 25 million years following the breakup of the ancient Gondwana continent, which is now known as Africa and South America. The separation of the plates leads to an amalgamation of rocks from the upper mantle and lower crust, causing instability and eventually resulting in eruptions. It also causes the mixing of rocks, water, and carbon dioxide with minerals like diamonds, which all combine to create explosive bursts towards the surface.
Researchers hope that their work will aid in the search for unexplored diamond deposits. Gernon noted that diamonds have remained at the base of continents for hundreds of millions or even billions of years. There must be some triggers that suddenly move them, as these eruptions are powerful and explosive.
