Researchers Discover Mysterious Iron-Rich Magma Within Dormant Volcanoes That May Be Abundant in Rare Earth Elements.
Dormant volcanoes that have been inactive for millions of years could revolutionize the important rare earth element supply, according to a study published on September 24 in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters. Rare earth elements, crucial components in today’s technology—from smartphones and flat-screen TVs to electric vehicles and wind turbines—are becoming increasingly important as the world shifts towards renewable energy solutions. With demand expected to quadruple by 2030, the search for rare earth sources is becoming urgent.
Mount Thielsen in Oregon last erupted 300,000 years ago. (Photo: Wikipedia).
Dr. Michael Anenburg from the Australian National University, co-author of the study, explained that iron-rich magma in certain dormant volcanoes is particularly effective in concentrating rare earth metals. “We have never seen iron-rich magma erupt from an active volcano, but we know of several dormant volcanoes millions of years old that have experienced this mysterious type of eruption”, Anenburg stated.
Dormant volcanoes have not erupted in human history and are unlikely to do so in the future. An example in the United States is Mount Thielsen in Oregon. The mountain, located in the Cascade Range near Mount Bailey, last erupted 300,000 years ago and is no longer volcanically active, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Other volcanoes, such as Yellowstone, could be considered dormant since their last eruption was 70,000 years ago, but scientists know that magma still exists beneath it and it could erupt again in the future. However, not all dormant volcanoes contain iron-rich magma.
The research team found that the solidified magma in dormant volcanoes concentrates rare earth metals more than 100 times more effectively than magma erupted from active volcanoes today. To reach this discovery, they simulated volcanic eruptions in the laboratory, using rock similar to that found in iron-rich dormant volcanoes. By melting the rock in a pressure furnace at extremely high temperatures, they were able to study the minerals inside, revealing the abundance of rare earth elements.
Rare earth elements are not as rare as their name suggests. They are found at low densities in most large rock formations and in the ocean floor. However, finding a rare earth source with a high enough density to make mining economically viable is a significant challenge. Researchers believe this new discovery could help overcome this obstacle.
“Our findings indicate that iron-rich dormant volcanoes globally, such as El Laco in Chile, could become targets for research in search of rare earth elements. However, the usual risks in mineral exploration mean that only a few discoveries actually lead to profitable active mines,” Anenburg emphasized.
