Mysterious magma in extinct volcanoes may be filled with elements needed to power the future
A mysterious type of magma found within extinct volcanoes scattered around the world could contain an abundant supply of rare earth elements, crucial ingredients for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean technologies, according to a report published Tuesday.
Rare earth elements, such as lanthanum, neodymium and terbium, are critical for helping the world break its long, destructive relationship with planet-heating fossil fuels.
These materials — so-called rare earths — are not actually that rare but can be challenging to extract as they are often found in low concentrations. As demand for them ramps up, many countries are scrambling to find new sources to break their dependence on China, which currently dominates the supply chain.
The new study “potentially opens a new avenue for rare earth extraction,” said Michael Anenburg, a research fellow at the Australian National University and a study author.
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