Massive Diamond-Filled Meteor Crater Worth 'Trillions' Of Pounds Found In Russia

[techs]

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/09/19/massive-diamond-field-russia_n_1896028.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

Massive Diamond-Filled Meteor Crater Worth 'Trillions' Of Pounds Found In Russia


A massive field of diamonds worth trillions of pounds has been discovered underneath a meteorite crater in Russia, scientists have announced.

The industrial-quality diamonds have the potential to revolutionise the tech and manufacturing industry - if they can be taken out of the Earth cheaply enough to make it worthwhile.

They were found in the 62-mile wide Popigai Astroblem crater in Siberia, which was created after an impact 35 million years ago.

They were created by the enormous heat and pressure placed upon reserves of graphite by the impact, and comprise the largest diamond field in the world.

The dense stones will not be usable for jewellery, but will be invaluable for industries including manufacturing and mining.

The diamonds were first discovered in the Soviet 1970s, but its existence was not disclosed until now.

The Russian Academy of Sciences now says that trillions of carats of diamonds are now known to be there - and are "twice as hard" as normal diamonds.

Nikolai Pokhilenko, head ot the Geological and Mineralogical Institute in Novosibirsk, said the reserve could spark a "revolution" in diamond production.

 

[Maleficus]

why can't i find a field of diamonds

 

[manimal]

sounds like a good prequel to stalker! This is where the singularity started

 

[sdifox]

time to assemble that space elevator?

 

[Fingolfin269]

What a rare precious gem!

 

[SunnyD]

Trillions of carats. While I have no problems with the subject line myself given the source is a British rag, it can be kind of confusing especially since these particular diamonds aren't expected to be used for cosmetic purposes (jewelry) and therefore monetary value is a confusing nomenclature given the location (Russia) and where this is posted (an American forum).

 

[BrokenVisage]

So this happened over 40 years ago, wow.

 

[Arcadio]

why can't i find a field of diamonds

No need for the emoticon. Your avatar is enough.

 

[Gibsons]

The Russian Academy of Sciences now says that trillions of carats of diamonds are now known to be there - and are "twice as hard" as normal diamonds.

wat

 

[Jeff7]

wat

These are space diamonds, so they can do that.

 

[sdifox]

Trillions of carats. While I have no problems with the subject line myself given the source is a British rag, it can be kind of confusing especially since these particular diamonds aren't expected to be used for cosmetic purposes (jewelry) and therefore monetary value is a confusing nomenclature given the location (Russia) and where this is posted (an American forum).

Even if it's a buck a carat, it's still trillions of dollars :whiste:

 

[SunnyD]

Even if it's a buck a carat, it's still trillions of dollars :whiste:

Sorry, I meant to say "foreign monetary value", especially one with a different common meaning here in the states.

It just makes for a very confusing sentence at first glance.

 

[Dominato3r]

And IIRC a day before this announcement there was a big shakeup in the leadership at DeBeers

 

[dr150]

And IIRC a day before this announcement there was a big shakeup in the leadership at DeBeers

Fuck DeBeers, their blood diamonds, and their strong-arm monopoly practices.

I hope they get kicked in the balls with this development.

 

[wirednuts]

yikes, this might put russia back on the map. no wonder why they didnt disappear after the cold war. no wonder why other countries like us still take russia seriously.

im pretty sure the diamonds for tools business is a lot larger then diamonds for jewelry too.

your harbor freight tools might not get any cheaper, but they might get a lot better!

and also, i have been saying for years "dont worry about it. someone is going to find a huge diamond mine somewhere". i just didnt realize they already did and just have been sitting on it. anyone want to bet this isnt the only diamond mine they know of? other things too like copper mining... its just something i dont think we will ever run out of because there is so much underground out there that hasnt been explored.

 

[destrekor]

wat

These are space diamonds, so they can do that.

space magic!

wait...


Jeff7 did it! He routinely breaks the laws of the physical universe as we know them.


I want me some 20H diamonds.
Or would that be 11H? 10.1? :hmm:

 

[SKORPI0]

The Russian Academy of Sciences now says that trillions of carats of diamonds are now known to be there - and are "twice as hard" as normal diamonds.
.

wat

These are space diamonds, so they can do that.

Good for industrial-grade use, not jewelry.

Aggregated diamond nanorod

Hardness

A <111> surface (normal to the largest diagonal of a cube) of pure diamond has a hardness value of 167±6 GPa when scratched with a nanodiamond tip, while the nanodiamond sample itself has a value of 310 GPa when tested with a nanodiamond tip.[4] However, the test only works properly with a tip made of harder material than the sample being tested. This means that the true value for nanodiamond is likely somewhat lower than 310 GPa.

 

[SandEagle]

trillions of POUNDS? lol fail. you mean carrots.

 

[ArizonaSteve]

trillions of POUNDS? lol fail. you mean carrots.

Bugs Bunny would be pleased.

 

[JTsyo]

Do they even dig for industrial diamonds since you can just grow them as needed. I guess if you're digging for ones to use in jewelry you might as well gather the rest up for industrial use.

 

[silverpig]

trillions of POUNDS? lol fail. you mean carrots.

First, it's carats, not carrots.

Second, this might be a British article, so pounds are a unit of currency.

Third, carats are a unit of weight, so are pounds, so maybe pounds is correct.

Fourth, it's probably the second thing.

 

[wirednuts]

good job silverpig. i honestly first took it as british dollars. i wasnt sure after i started following this thread... if it was actual weight pounds, well whatever is after trillions is what it would be in dollars. and that aint happening....

 

[ImpulsE69]

I think I'd rather have one of these rocks on my hand than a gem one....for those McGuyver moments...

 

[Auric]

I'm just imagining a hamster's reaction to a trillion carrots. :awe: