The rock formed at the highest temperature in the world

Scientists find evidence that helps confirm a rock discovered in 2011 formed at a record high temperature of 2,370 degrees Celsius. New research published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters on April 15, conducted by Gavin Tolometti – a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Western Ontario – and co-authors Timmons Erickson from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Gordon Osinski and Catherine Neish from the University of Western Ontario , Cayron Cyril from the Thermomechanical Metallurgical Laboratory.

In 2011, doctoral student Michael Zanetti was with Osinski looking at the Lake Mistastin impact crater in Labrador (a crater formed by a meteorite) when they discovered a glassy rock containing small frozen zircon grains. Experts then analyzed the rock and found that it formed at a temperature of 2,370 C due to the impact of an asteroid. These findings are presented in a study published in 2017.

Using samples collected in 2009 – 2011, Tolometti and his colleagues found four more zircon grains, helping to confirm the 2011 discovery. They also found evidence at another site in the same crater that molten rock – rock formed after soil and rock melted into liquid by a meteorite – was heated differently in different locations. intelligence, to a greater extent than was previously hypothesized.

“We’re better understanding the heat of impact molten rocks, which form when meteors hit the ground. This helps us understand more about melting and cooling processes. This new discovery could also provide us with information to study the temperature and melt rock in other craters,” Tolometti said.

Most of the evidence still preserved, such as samples of glass rock and impact rock, is located near the base of the crater, Tolometti said. If this knowledge were applied to other craters, scientists could find more evidence of the temperature conditions there without having to study the area too wide.

“We realized that if we wanted to find evidence of such high temperatures, we needed to look at specific regions rather than randomly selecting the entire crater,” Tolometti said.

The new study also marks the first time that reidite – a mineral that forms when zircon experiences high pressure and temperature – has been discovered at Lake Mistastin. Specifically, the team found three samples of reidite still preserved in zircon grains and evidence of two other samples of reidite that once existed but crystallized when the temperature exceeded 1,200 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, reidite no longer exists. stable.

The team of experts plans to extend the study to other impact craters on Earth. Some doctoral students will work with Osinski to explore other craters, such as Lac Wiyâshâkimî in Quebec. Tolometti is also looking to expand the study and look at the lunar samples brought back to Earth by the Apollo spacecraft. These samples contain ample evidence that they form from impact craters.

“If we find evidence of microstructure in zircon grains or other particles under pressure conditions, we could better understand craters on the Moon. This could be a step towards understanding too much. rock processes are altered by meteorites across the entire solar system. We can then apply this data to impact models to improve the results,” Tolometti said.

Thu Thao (According to Physi)