USGS releases first study to assess global earthquake risk to mineral supplies
Earthquakes have the potential to substantially affect mining operations, leading to supply chain disruptions that adversely affect the global economy.
Scientists have found that the moon contains rich titanium deposits.
Mark Robinson from Arizona State University and Brett Denevi from John Hopkins University, who were expanding on previous studies, used spectrum analysis to determine the chemical composition of the lunar surface using images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Hubble Telescope.
They found that lunar mares, dark basilic plains caused by ancient volcanic eruptions, have titanium abundances ranging from one to 10 percent.
“We still don’t really understand why we find much higher abundances of titanium on the Moon compared to similar types of rocks on Earth. What the lunar titanium-richness does tell us is that the interior of the Moon had less oxygen when it was formed, knowledge that geochemists value for understanding the evolution of the Moon,” said Robinson in an interview with Physorg.com.
Used as an alloy, titanium is prized for its ability to provide metals with corrosion resistance and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
The moon contains lots of interesting resources, including an unlimited power source. Setting up a mining operation on the moon, however, is the rub.
Comments
jamesont
I remember someone stating that one of some of the original moon rocks were found to contain abundant titanium (ilmenite or rutile).