Cambridge Maps Rare Earth Deposits

Researchers from the University of Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences, led by Emilie Bowman>>> and Sally Gibson>>>, have created a new global map identifying a strong link between Rare-earth element>>>-rich igneous rocks and the thick, ancient cores of continents. Published in Nature Geoscience, the study combines chemical data from 9,000 rock samples with seismic imaging to show that lithospheric thickness plays a crucial role in concentrating these metals. This discovery offers a predictive tool for finding new Rare-earth element>>> deposits, which are vital for modern technologies like smartphones and clean energy solutions. The findings could help countries reduce their dependence on China>>> for these critical materials and enhance the security and sustainability of supply chains. The team, including geophysicists Sergey Lebedev>>> and Siyuan Sui>>>, plans to extend their research to older rock formations.