Two new minerals have been discovered in Somalia. The minerals found inside a huge meteorite in Somalia probably provide crucial information on the formation of asteroids.
How were the Minerals Found?
Scientists studied a 2.5-ounce slice of the 16.5-ton El Ali meteorite to get the new minerals and named them elaliite. The meteor crashed into Earth two years back, and now, the new findings will be further probed to understand how the planets of this solar system formed.
Finding a new mineral means the original geological conditions of a specific area and the chemistry of the particular rocks were not the same forever, said Chris Herd, a University of Alberta professor specializing in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. They were different from the scientists found before, and have changed gradually over hundreds of years, said Herd, adding that this fact makes the whole story furthermore interesting. The professor said that these two minerals found from the piece of the meteorite are new to scientists.
About the Meteorite
As classified by the researchers, the El Ali meteorite is an Iron IAB complex made of silicate chunks. Probing into the slice of the meteorite led the scientists to pay attention to the details of never-seen-before minerals. They compared the minerals with the earlier ones they dealt with in a lab and ended up discovering that they were absolutely new.
Further Probe Instigated
The researchers will naturally continue to investigate the meteorites to understand the circumstances in which the parent asteroid formed.
Herd said he never thought of ending up finding brand new minerals someday while working on a meteorite.
Limitations
The El Ali meteorite has been sent to China for sailing, and if it gets a buyer, the researchers would have limited access only to it for investigation.
