Two never-seen-before minerals on Earth discovered in one of planet’s biggest known meteorites; Read details here

These two brand-new minerals were part of the El Ali meteorite in Somalia. And were discovered in the slice of the gigantic meteorite El Ali. El Ali meteorite was the most significant one found two years back in 2020. Additionally, it is the ninth largest one.
In one of the news releases, the University of Alberta said this is an excellent way to study more about the making of meteorites.

Meteorites are formed when the meteors survive through the Earth's land and atmosphere. Such samples are taken and serve as an excellent source to discover new minerals. The research team also identified a new mineral that needs a review and further analysis. At the university's Space Exploration Symposium, all the findings related to the two new minerals discovered were shared from 21 November 2022 till the next day, 22 November 2022.


Chris Herd, the curator of the University of Alberta's Meteorite Collection, stated that finding new material allows us to understand the chemistry in making that rock and the actual geological conditions it has gone through. The professor started to suspect that something was unique there in the slice of the rock, so he involved his colleague Andrew Locock in analysing the mineral descriptions further.



The minerals discovered elaliite, named after the meteorite's name, and other elkinstantonite, to honour Vice president at Arizona State Lindy Elkins-Tanton.

Researchers hope to get better insights into these two minerals by further studying this topic.

FAQs:

1. How many minerals have been discovered?
   Two.
2. What is the name of the minerals?
   Elaliite and Elkinstantonite.
3. Who is the curator at Alberta University?
   Herd.