Scientists have unlocked the mysterious origins of Earth’s minerals and detailed their diverse formation over billions of years, finding evidence for the role of water and rare elements in their formation, as well as 297 that pre-date our planet’s birth.
Nature created 40 percent of Earth’s 5,659 recognized mineral species and in some instances used more than 15 unique recipes to produce their crystal structure and chemical composition.
The scientists found that water played a dominant role in the formation of over 80 percent of mineral species and that 41 rare Earth elements – including arsenic, cadmium, gold, mercury, silver, titanium, zinc, uranium and tungsten – are essential components of about 2,400 of the planet’s minerals.
Scientists decipher the unique origins of Earth’s minerals in landmark study
