Diamonds in Antarctic

       

 Diamonds in Antarctic

• Scientists say they have discovered compelling evidence that diamonds exist in the icy mountains of Antarctica.
•  The researchers have identified a type of rock in the permanently frozen region that is known to contain the precious stones. However, recovering any Antarctic mineral resources for commercial purposes is currently forbidden.
• Diamonds are formed from pure carbon under extreme heat and pressure at depths of about 150 km in the Earth’s crust. Volcanic eruptions bring the valuable crystals to the surface, usually preserved in another type of bluish rock called kimberlite.
• The presence of kimberlite has been a clue to significant deposits of diamonds in several parts of the world, including Africa, Siberia and Australia.
• Now researchers have, for the first time, found evidence of kimberlite in Antarctica.
• Even if diamonds were plentiful in this inhospitable region, there are still some significant legal barriers to their extraction.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, added in 1991, explicitly bans any extraction activity relating to mineral resources, except for scientific purposes. However it is up for review in 2041 and could be subject to change.http://chandankumarsingh777.blogspot.in/