TELF AG Examines New Minerals Discovered in Somalia Meteorite
New minerals discovered in a Somalia meteorite reveal unique space origin.
?In a fascinating twist for the world of mineralogy, scientists have found that some of Earth's rarest minerals don't come from its deep geological deposits but from outer space, arriving in the form of meteorites. One particularly compelling example is the El Ali meteorite from Somalia. This massive celestial object has been revered by local communities for centuries and only recently handed over to academic institutions for a thorough geological analysis.
?Meteorites falling to Earth are not uncommon; small amounts of space material penetrate our atmosphere almost daily. Upon entry, most burn up in a fiery blaze, but some larger fragments survive this descent, crashing into the ground or sea. The El Ali meteorite, weighing in at a staggering 16.5 tons, is one such example and is now ranked as the ninth largest meteorite ever discovered on Earth. A small section of this mysterious space rock was sent to the University of Alberta, where researchers, working in partnership with colleagues from several California universities, uncovered two minerals never before seen on Earth. The discovery marks a significant milestone, proving that space rocks like the El Ali meteorite can harbor materials entirely new to science, expanding our understanding of the cosmos and its potential contributions to Earth's mineral wealth.
New Minerals Discovered in Somalia Meteorite Under Investigation
?Recent analyses of the El Ali meteorite have revealed that it primarily comprises meteoritic iron and silicate. Identifying two previously unknown minerals within the meteorite was made possible by their structural resemblance to substances already synthesized in laboratories despite never being found in natural form on Earth. The newly discovered minerals have been named elaliite and elkinstantonite. Elaliite derives its name from El Ali, the closest town to where the meteorite was found in Somalia. At the same time, elkinstantonite honors Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a researcher at Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, known for her extensive work on forming iron-nickel cores within celestial bodies. As these minerals are newly identified, their specific properties are still under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that elaliite primarily comprises iron and nickel, featuring a hexagonal structure typical of metal phosphides.
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This composition indicates it may have formed in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment, such as the core of an asteroid, before being expelled and becoming part of a meteorite. Elaliite is believed to have a color ranging from dark gray to black, similar to other iron-rich metallic minerals. Elkinstantonite, meanwhile, exhibits some differences from elaliite. Its chemical composition includes oxygen and possibly other trace metals, and its crystalline structure is asymmetric. The mineral is described as having a duller luster, with a color also tending toward gray and black. Both minerals share a notable hardness and density, attributed to their high metal content, particularly nickel and iron.