New method uses rocks to pinpoint Earth's hidden tectonic secrets!
A new method was developed to automatically create and evaluate diagrams that can tell apart different types of rocks formed in various parts of the Earth's crust. By analyzing thousands of gabbro samples from different tectonic settings, researchers identified key elements that can be used to distinguish between these settings. They recommend using four specific diagrams to classify rocks based on their geochemical composition. This study shows that gabbroic rocks can be used to determine where they formed, and this method could be useful for other types of rocks too.