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Glite Dictionary
kimberlite

kimberlite

1 9.9
A rare hard rock formed by volcanoes deep underground that sometimes contains diamonds
  • noun
  • /ˈkɪmbərˌlaɪt/
  • Specialized
: kimberlita
  • Geologists study kimberlite to understand volcanic activity and its connection to diamond formation.
  • kimberlite pipes
  • kimberlite rock
  • kimberlite formation

It wasn't quite as good on eruptions in the US and Canada, but it predicted kimberlites in East Antarctica and parts of WA.

Examples

  • It wasn't quite as good on eruptions in the US and Canada, but it predicted kimberlites in East Antarctica and parts of WA.

    Sabine Hossenfelder

  • "The basalt forming this rille is called kimberlite.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Black diamonds from the Urals or from some other kimberlites from around the world are readily cut and easily polished.

    Blog text (3)

  • Kimberlite is studded with diamonds, so if you see a bright flash of light reflecting back at you from the dark blue walls, it might even be a diamond.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The discovery in 1967 of the Orapa kimberlite, a deep diamond vein, by Lamont sparked a massive transformation of Botswanan life.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Many diamond deposits originate from kimberlite pipes found deep underground.

  • The kimberlite eruption created unique rock formations rich in valuable minerals.

Surface Forms

kimberlite singular
kimberlites plural

Etymology

Kimberlite comes from the South African town Kimberley, where miners first found this volcanic rock that sometimes has diamonds. The ending -lite is used in many mineral names to mean 'rock', so kimberlite is basically the 'Kimberley rock', which is why geologists search it when they look for diamonds.