Shungite is a unique mineral that has gained popularity in recent years due to its purported helpful properties and ability to absorb electromagnetic waves. But where does shungite come from, how was shungite formed, and how did it appear? In this article, we’ll explore the geology of shungite and its origins.
Where does shungite come from
The origins of shungite can be traced back to the ancient Lake Onega in Karelia, where it was formed over hundreds of millions of years from the sediment of these microorganisms. This biogenic theory of the origin of shungite says that shungite is formed from the remains of the first microorganisms on the planet Earth. Mostly they were cyanobacteria. The lake is home to a variety of unique minerals, including shungite, which is found in veins and deposits throughout the Karelian region.
The name “shungite” comes from the village of Shunga, which is located in Karelia and is known for its shungite deposits. The mineral has been used in the region for centuries for its helpful properties, and it has gained popularity in recent years as a result of its ability to absorb electromagnetic waves. Now you know where shungite comes from, according to one of the theories – the biogenic theory.
Formation of Karelian black mineral
Shungite is a black, matte or lustrous mineral that is primarily composed of carbon, with small amounts of other minerals such as quartz, pyrite, and feldspar. It is found primarily in Russia, specifically in the region of Karelia, which is located near the border with Finland.
This black mineral is believed to be over 2 billion years old and is formed from the remains of ancient microorganisms that lived in the earth’s oceans. These microorganisms, known as cyanobacteria, were some of the earliest forms of life on Earth and played a crucial role in the evolution of the planet’s atmosphere.
Over time, the remains of these microorganisms were buried under sediment and compressed by the weight of the earth above. This compression and heat caused the carbon in the remains to transform into graphite, which eventually became shungite. The smallest building block of shungite is graphene. Also, unique fullerene molecules are found only in shungite.
Appearance of Shungite
This Russian mineral has been known to the people of Karelia for centuries, and it has been used in the region for its helpful properties. However, it was not until the 20th century that shungite was recognized by the scientific community outside of Russia.
The first recorded mention of shungite in scientific literature was in 1878, when a French scientist named F.A. Gauthier-Liévre described the mineral in his book “Les minéraux de la Russie”. However, it was not until the 1930s that this KArelian mineral began to be studied in depth by Russian scientists.
In the decades since, shungite has become increasingly popular around the world, with many people using it for its purported amazing properties and ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation.
Other theories about the birth of shungite
The biogenic theory of the origin of shungite is not generally accepted, but it is often used to explain the appearance of shungite. In general, by now there is no such theory of the origin of shungite that would suit everyone.
However, there are many other theories of the origin of shungite. For example, the volcanogenic theory. According to the volcanogenic theory, shungite comes from as a result of the activity of volcanoes without the participation of living matter. Indeed, in the composition of shungite there are small amounts of metal oxides surrounding carbon. And metals are among the first to harden when volcanic rocks cool. This means that carbon clusters were formed at a temperature of 1300–1400 ˚C.
There is also a theory that shungite is a substance that came to earth from outer space. After all, the carbon of shungite and the carbon of meteorites are the same. Scientists agree with this fact. For example, the Alland meteorite and shungite have a similar structure and composition.
In addition, it was in space that fullerene molecules were first discovered in the carbon footprint of meteorites and dying stars. And then on Earth, these fullerenes were found in solid form in shungite from Karelia.
Conclusion
Shungite comes from the village of Shunga, which is located in Karelia, Russia. This is a unique mineral that has captured the attention of people around the world in recent years. It is believed to have a wide range of uses and benefits, from health and wellness to technology and industry. This mineral was formed over 2 billion years ago from the remains of ancient microorganisms that lived in the earth’s oceans. According to the biogenic theory of origin.
And it has been known to the people of Karelia for centuries. Although it was not recognized by the scientific community outside of Russia until the 20th century, shungite has since become a subject of much interest and study. Whether you’re interested in its geology, history, or uses, shungite is definitely a mineral worth learning more about.