Posted on 04/08/2025 5:20:03 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
A vast, ancient crater in the western United States may be home to one of the most significant mineral discoveries of the century. Published in the journal Science Advances, researchers have identified a geological formation beneath this site that could dramatically reshape the global landscape for clean energy technology.
A Supervolcano’s Legacy Becomes a Resource Powerhouse
The McDermitt Caldera, measuring 45 by 35 kilometers, was formed 16.4 million years ago following a catastrophic volcanic eruption. Over time, a lake developed inside the caldera, collecting thick layers of volcanic ash and mineral-rich sediments.
These conditions gave rise to lithium-bearing clay minerals, including smectite and, uniquely, illite. What distinguishes this site from other claystone lithium deposits is the exceptional concentration of lithium found in the illite layer at Thacker Pass.
Drill samples revealed lithium concentrations reaching up to 2.4 weight percent, well above the global average for this type of deposit, which typically falls below 0.4 weight percent.
Geologists link this extreme enrichment to a rare, two-stage process. First, lithium-rich volcanic glass was leached by alkaline lake waters, forming magnesian smectite clays.
Later, during a magmatic resurgence about 16.3 million years ago, hydrothermal fluids rich in potassium, fluorine, rubidium, and cesium altered these clays into illite. These fluids traveled through fractures and porous sediment layers, triggering mineral transformation and concentrating lithium levels in the process.
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Give it out at anti-Trump protests.
FYI the McDermitt Caldera appears to be on the far northern border of Nevada, across from Oregon’s southeast corner.
Please. Let me talk to a basic economist. Does money really grow in ground and on trees?
You had to read nearly to end of the article to find out—which is the intent to force you to see the ads.
There will be geologists scrambling around every caldera in the nation. Currently, deep wells are being drilled in northeastern Texas and southern Arkansas for lithium-laden brines. I hear there is plenty in the salt lakes of California.
bkmk
I managed to avoid that, since I knew the area from working around there in the mid-70s. I wonder if the Say When bar is still in business?
Is no such thing as a “super” volcano.
Anyone who makes that reference doesnt know what they are talking about concerning volcanism.
But if it were in the 10s of trillions, it would be more minteresting
I hope something comes of this fairly soon.
Flag # 1. Speak American, especially since it’s in the US. Euros, for real?
Excellent. I love searching for and finding things.
I think it is now as the President informs china we do not need your Lithium.
How much energy has to be expended to remove it?
Or, "vulcanism," as it is sometimes called. I'm not sure if it's a British vs American English thing.
So if Yellowstone erupts we will have centuries worth of Lithium?
There is a fantastic amount of Lithium in the United States. I personally gave evaluated huge Caves withe Lepidolite lining the walls, ceiling, and floors. It is found in Volcanic extrusion. The crystals are an absolutely beautiful purple. These mines were abandoned in the late sixties because the main use for Lithium was for mood control drugs, and the mines became uneconomic. These mines were in New Mexico, near Taos. Current prices will force them to be reopened. I wish I had bought them a few decades ago when they worthless.
Why is Yellowstone all at once erupting?
You know good and well if that Caldera goes, nobody will be concerned about much of the super-modern era.
Yes, I just coined it.
The Lithium discovery is a shot right behind Chinas ass.
So we dont need ukraine anymore!!?? good... pull the plug and lets start digging out west!!
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