Diamond Volcanoes Linked to the Breakup of Supercontinents

Diamonds hold secrets to our planet's deep history. Research into these precious stones offers clues about the movements of tectonic plates and the formation of supercontinents. The famous Kimberley mine in South Africa, discovered in 1869, became known worldwide for yielding diamonds, including the "Star of Africa". Kimberlites, the rock formations from which these diamonds arise, originate from great depths and are rare.


These magmas ascend from the Earth's oldest and deepest layers, transporting diamonds formed under high pressure within the lithosphere, and in some cases, from even deeper within the sub-lithospheric layer. Recent research suggests that eruptions of kimberlites and diamond formation are closely related to supercontinent cycles. Indeed, studies show a correlation between periods of kimberlite activity and the breakup of supercontinents such as Rodinia and Pangaea.

Scientist are delving into the mysteries surrounding the formation of kimberlites, especially their chemical composition and their ability to penetrate cratons, the stable cores of continents. Recent computer models indicate that the process of continental rifting plays a key role, allowing kimberlites to ascend to the surface. These dynamics seem to gradually extend towards the interior of continents, explaining peaks in kimberlite activity following the breakup of supercontinents.

Moreover, the diamonds themselves provide clues about the formation and evolution of continents. Studies of diamonds formed at great depths reveal information about subduction processes and continental growth. Some diamonds may even contain materials from the boundary between Earth's mantle and its core.

Ancient diamonds, as well as those from extreme depths, could shed light on key periods in Earth's history, such as the onset of widespread subduction or the emergence of life in the oceans. However, to make progress in these areas of research, scientists need to better understand the age of diamonds and gain access to more ancient and deep specimens.