Kimberlite rock found for first time in Bayan Obo

The Geological Survey Institute of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region recently announced that Kimberlite rock has been discovered for the first time in its Bayan Obo area.

Through the analysis and identification of rock minerals in the laboratories of the Hebei Regional Geological Survey Institute and the Liaoning Geological Offshore Engineering Survey Institute, this was confirmed as Kimberlite rock from the upper mantle.

Kimberlite rock is a tubular, vein-like, alkali-rich "granular mica olivine rock" that commonly appears in clusters or bands. It is widely recognized as the main host rock of native diamonds around the world.

Kimberlite rock originates from the upper mantle below the crust at depths of 100-400 kilometers.

By studying and analyzing physical samples of deep-seated ultramafic blocks carried by Kimberlite rock, researchers can gain insights into the physical and chemical characteristics of the upper mantle.

This has special significance for studying features such as the soft flow and slow velocity layer in the upper mantle, and particularly for deep research into diamonds and large rare earth deposits in the Bayan Obo area.