Researchers have developed a worldwide map highlighting where rare earth elements are likely to be found. The work links these valuable metals to specific geological features deep beneath Earth's surface.
An international team led by the University of Cambridge has produced a predictive map for rare earth deposits. The study combines data from roughly 9,000 rock samples with seismic images of the planet's interior. It shows that the relevant igneous rocks form mainly along the steep edges of Earth's thickest and oldest continental lithosphere.
