‘Holy smokes’: Huge log believed to be 50 million years old unearthed at N.W.T. mine
A remarkable discovery has been made at the Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, where a log of wood believed to be 50 million years old was recently unearthed from 240 meters below ground. The 136-kilogram (300-pound) log, believed to be from a redwood tree, was discovered during regular mining operations at the A21 pit on February 20th while miners were extracting kimberlite ore.
According to a spokesperson for Diavik, the kimberlite rock surrounding the wood has been dated using accepted age-dating techniques, confirming its age to be approximately 50 million years old. This find is not entirely uncommon at Diavik, as pieces of wood are regularly found in the kimberlite pipes, but the size of this particular log is notable. When wood is discovered, work is halted to safely remove the specimen for further study.
The significance of this discovery lies in the rare glimpse it offers into the ancient past, enriching our understanding of the environment from millions of years ago. The Diavik mine is considering the future handling of the specimen as the mine approaches closure, with a focus on contributing to scientific research and knowledge.
The Prince of Wales Heritage Centre in Yellowknife already has a piece of 55-million-year-old wood from a metasequoia tree found at Diavik on display, along with another piece from the neighboring Ekati diamond mine believed to be 52 million years old. These findings provide valuable insights into the prehistoric landscape of the region, which was once a humid temperate forest ecosystem with diverse plant life.
Researchers like Alberto Reyes from the University of Alberta are eager to study the newly uncovered log to gain more specific information about the ancient climate. By analyzing the wood, scientists hope to reconstruct year-to-year climate variability during a period when the Arctic was much warmer than it is today.
Experts like Christopher West from the Royal Tyrrell Museum suggest that the wood may have been preserved through permineralization or coalification, processes that can maintain the woody structure of the material. Previous finds of similar wood in kimberlite pipes have yielded valuable insights into ancient climates, and researchers are excited to continue exploring the possibilities presented by this latest discovery.
Overall, the find at the Diavik diamond mine is a testament to the potential of mining operations to contribute to scientific research and knowledge, shedding light on the distant past and enriching our understanding of Earth’s history.
