New Research Suggests Diamond Layer Beneath Mercury's Crust
- Researchers from China and Belgium have theorized that a significant diamond layer exists beneath Mercury's surface, potentially resulting from two geological processes.
- This discovery could change our understanding of planetary formation and the materials that make up terrestrial bodies.
- Further studies and explorations may be needed to validate these findings and their implications.
Recent research indicates that Mercury may possess a diamond layer up to 10 miles (18 km) thick beneath its crust. A team of scientists from China and Belgium utilized data from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft, which operated from 2004 to 2015, to explore the planet's internal structure. The study, published on June 14, highlights the crystallization process of Mercury's metal core, which transitioned from a completely liquid state during the planet's formation approximately 4.5 billion years ago. The researchers propose that under extreme pressure, carbon in Mercury's mantle transformed into diamond, which subsequently floated to the core's surface, forming a distinct layer between the core and the mantle. This finding could provide insights into the unique geological history of Mercury compared to other terrestrial planets like Earth and Mars. To validate their hypothesis, the scientists employed a large-volume press to simulate the high-pressure and high-temperature conditions present within Mercury. They subjected synthetic magnesium silicate to seven gigapascals of pressure and temperatures reaching 2,177°C (3,950°F), effectively mimicking the mineral transformations that occurred during Mercury's formation and demonstrating the potential for diamond formation under such conditions. The implications of this research extend beyond Mercury, as scientists have previously estimated that over a quadrillion tonnes of diamond may lie beneath Earth's surface, buried more than 160 km (100 miles) deep—far beyond the reach of current drilling technology.