Kimberlite
“The diamond delivery system”
Kimberlite is a rare ultramafic igneous rock that originates from depths of 150-450 km within the Earth's mantle. It's best known as the primary source of diamonds, carrying them to the surface in explosive volcanic eruptions that travel at speeds up to 70 km/h.
olivine, phlogopite, ilmenite, garnet, diopside, diamond (rarely)
Kimberley (South Africa), Yakutia (Russia), Lac de Gras (Canada), Botswana, Lesotho
Variable (matrix ~4-5)
Kimberlite eruptions are among the deepest-sourced and most explosive volcanic events on Earth, yet no human has ever witnessed one — the last known eruption was about 30 million years ago.
Test Your Knowledge
Why must a kimberlite erupt extremely rapidly to bring diamonds to the surface intact?
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