A fascinating discovery has been made in volcanic rocks on Canada’s Baffin Island. A rare gas called helium-3 has been found in large amounts. This supports the idea that helium-3 has been leaking from Earth’s core for millions of years. This discovery is adding new layers to our understanding of Earth’s interior and its long geological history.
Discovery of Rare Helium
Helium-3 was found along with helium-4 in these rocks. Helium-4 is common on Earth and is often released through volcanic activity and radioactive decay. Helium-3, on the other hand, is rare and is mostly found in space or from ancient cosmic sources. Scientists were surprised to find more helium-3 than expected. The presence of such rare gas in volcanic rocks points to ancient geological processes. This finding has been published in the journal Nature and has attracted global scientific interest. The presence of helium-3 serves as a direct indication of the Earth’s core slowly releasing noble gases that have remained trapped since the planet’s formation. The finding opens up new paths for studying Earth’s early development and cosmic heritage.
Helium-3 is not made on Earth in large amounts. It is believed to have been present since the early formation of the solar system. Most of it has been lost to space over billions of years. Earth’s rocky layers constantly move and shift due to tectonic activity. This movement pushes molten material upwards. As the magma cools near the surface, gases like helium are released into the atmosphere. Eventually, helium drifts into space.
Elements leaking from the Earth’s core tell us about the planet’s history and origin. This discovery supports the idea that Earth was formed in a solar nebula. A solar nebula is a cloud of dust and gas left over from the formation of stars. It likely collapsed after a nearby supernova explosion. This nebula contained helium-3, which became trapped deep inside Earth’s core. The discovery indicates that some of this ancient gas is still making its way to the surface.
Baffin Island is in Nunavut, Canada. It is the largest island in Canada and the fifth-largest in the world. The region is known for its remote wilderness, towering cliffs, glaciers, and rich geological history. In 2003, a study first reported high levels of helium-3 in rocks from this island. That research was done by Solveigh Lass-Evans and her supervisor Finlay Stuart. Their groundbreaking work laid the foundation for new explorations.
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Further Research on Baffin Island
In 2018, new research was carried out by an international team. The team studied lava flows formed millions of years ago when Greenland and North America began to separate. This event created new oceanic crust and seafloor. The team hoped to find clues about the contents locked within Earth’s core and mantle. Multiple field expeditions were conducted, with geologists carefully selecting lava rock samples. Researchers took advantage of advanced laboratory techniques to analyze the gas content within olivine crystals. Their aim was to confirm whether ancient helium-3 had indeed traveled from the Earth’s core to the surface. Each step of the research was done with caution, given the extreme conditions of the remote Arctic region. The researchers relied on precise measurements to avoid contamination and to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The research team traveled by helicopter to reach Baffin Island’s rugged landscape. The island’s geography is both harsh and stunning. Tall cliffs overlook icy waters where massive icebergs drift. Polar bears are common along the coast. Local organizations, such as the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Nunavut Research Institute, offered valuable help. They provided advice, logistical support, and protection from wildlife.
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New Findings
The rocks showed higher amounts of helium-3 and helium-4 than seen in earlier studies. Many rocks contained bright green olivine crystals, also known as the gemstone peridot. Breaking open these rocks felt exciting for the team. Each rock was treated as a hidden treasure that could reveal secrets about Earth’s deep interior. The results confirmed that the helium-3 was present in quantities far beyond what was previously recorded. The measurements indicated that these noble gases were preserved within the crystals for millions of years without significant loss. These findings provided strong evidence that Earth’s core is still slowly releasing gases. The variation in helium content across different rock samples also hinted at different depths and times at which the gases were released. The study brought clarity to long-standing questions about the movement of elements from Earth’s interior.
About ten million helium-3 atoms were found per gram of olivine. Typically, only one helium-3 atom exists for every million helium-4 atoms. These findings showed that ancient gases had been trapped deep inside the Earth and preserved over millions of years.
The story begins with the Big Bang, which created vast amounts of hydrogen and helium. These elements formed part of galaxies over time. Our solar system formed about 4.5 billion years ago within a solar nebula. As the dust and gas collapsed, the sun and planets formed.
Helium inherited from the solar nebula became trapped inside Earth’s core during the planet’s formation. Over millions of years, helium-3 slowly leaked out of the core. It traveled through the mantle inside hot magma plumes. These plumes rose to the surface and erupted as lava on Baffin Island. During eruptions, most of the gases escaped into the atmosphere. However, some helium remained trapped inside olivine crystals.
The lava rocks on Baffin Island are around 60 million years old. The mantle plume that brought the gases to the surface took millions of years to rise. Scientists believe that the helium-3 found in these rocks may have escaped from the core over 100 million years ago or possibly even earlier.
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No Harm to Earth
Helium leaking from the Earth’s core does not harm the planet. Helium is a noble gas, meaning it does not react with other substances. Its release into the atmosphere has no impact on humans, animals, or the environment. It quietly drifts away into space. The release of helium-3 is part of Earth’s natural geochemical cycle. No adverse effects have been observed, and scientists agree that it does not influence climate or air quality. Instead, this phenomenon offers a harmless opportunity for researchers to better understand the planet’s deep structure. The leakage occurs slowly over geological timescales, ensuring that it remains undetectable in everyday life. Furthermore, the release of helium-3 is so minimal that it poses no risk to ecosystems or human health.
The research team plans to study whether other light elements might also be leaking from the core. Elements like carbon and hydrogen are crucial for life and could be stored in Earth’s deep interior. If these elements are escaping over time, they might have influenced the evolution of the planet’s surface and atmosphere.
Helium-3 could help track the movement of other elements between the core and mantle. Scientists hope to use helium as a tracer to study the Earth’s inner processes. Future research might reveal how these light elements shape Earth’s long-term evolution and support planetary habitability.
The discovery on Baffin Island provides an incredible window into Earth’s deep past. Ancient gases trapped inside olivine crystals tell part of the planet’s long story. Ongoing research will continue to uncover secrets beneath the surface. Each new finding brings scientists closer to understanding how Earth formed, evolved, and became the planet we call home.
