Two New Minerals Discovered Inside 4.5 Billion-Year-Old Meteorite in Africa
In recent years, scientists have made an exciting discovery in Africa — a new mineral that appears to have originated from an asteroid.
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at the University of Alberta have identified two new minerals, “elaliite” and “elkinstantonite,” while analyzing a sample of the “El Ali” meteorite in Somalia. This 16.5 ton meteorite, which is believed to be over 4.5 billion years old, was discovered by scientists in 2020 but was already known to locals, who call it “Nightfall.” The researchers also spotted signs of a third new mineral in the sample and believe that there may be more to be discovered if more of the meteorite is analyzed.
Minerals are solid elements or compounds with orderly internal structures, and we have discovered over 5,000 minerals on Earth so far, including calcite, diamond, and quartz. The discovery of two new minerals is a significant event because it suggests that the geological conditions and chemistry of the rock from which these minerals formed were different from anything we have seen before. This has important implications for our understanding of the early solar system and the geology of the universe.
Chris Herd, a geologist at the University of Alberta, was analyzing a slice of the El Ali meteorite when he noticed signs of these new minerals. He brought the sample to Andrew Locock, head of the university’s Electron Microprobe Laboratory, who was able to match the composition of the minerals to ones that had been created synthetically before but never discovered in nature. The researchers have named the new minerals after the meteorite itself and Lindy Elkins-Tanton, vice president of the Arizona State University Interplanetary Initiative, in recognition of her contributions to the study of the cores of planets and their formation.
The discovery of these new minerals has not only scientific but also practical implications. Minerals are used in a wide range of products, including smartphones, and the discovery of elaliite and elkinstantonite could lead to new applications in fields such as material
Overall, the discovery of two new minerals in the El Ali meteorite is a groundbreaking event that has the potential to expand our understanding of the early solar system and the geology of the universe. It also has practical implications, as these minerals may have uses in fields such as material science. This discovery is a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the endless possibilities that exist for exploration and discovery. It is an exciting time for those in the field, and we can’t wait to see what other groundbreaking discoveries may be made in the future.
