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A Crater Full of Diamonds<\/h1>\n
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By Jenny McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
If you could close your eyes and imagine the largest number possible of some small item, would it be one of these?<\/p>\n
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- A mountain of pebbles?<\/li>\n
- A football stadium full of pennies?<\/li>\n
- An ocean of paper clips?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What if that huge amount of something were diamonds? And if the value of that pile of diamonds was a number in the billions, then you would probably be pretty amazed, right?<\/p>\n
Buried Treasure<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
In one of the coldest and most remote parts of Russia<\/strong> lies a reserve of diamonds that could contain trillions of carats. Located in northern Siberia in the Popigai Crater, some reports have claimed that the supply could be large enough to meet the world\u2019s needs for thousands of years.<\/p>\n
These are not the sparkling gems you would expect to see in jewelry. Most are tiny, low-purity impact stones, better suited for scientific and industrial uses than for engagement rings.<\/p>\n
Asteroid Crash<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Geologists believe this bonanza of diamonds formed about 35.7 million years ago when an asteroid crashed into Earth. The visitor from outer space was somewhere between three and five miles in diameter, and its collision created a crater about 62 miles (100 kilometers) across.<\/p>\n
When it struck graphite-bearing material, some of the carbon inside transformed into diamonds almost instantly. Because the stones formed under such sudden heat and pressure, many did not grow large and clear. Instead, they remained small and grainy.<\/p>\n
Digging for Diamonds<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n![\"Satellite](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Russia-Popigai-GMS-vertical-image_crater-280-x-364px.png\")
<\/p>\nSatellite image \u201cPopigai Crater, Russia<\/a>\u201d by NASA. Public domain.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSoviet geologist D. V. Kogevin discovered the crater in 1946. At first, scientists thought it was a volcanic structure. In the early 1970s, further research showed that it was actually an impact crater and that its rocks contained unusual crystals.<\/p>\n
For many years, information about the deposit was not widely shared. Some reports suggest that Soviet leaders may have kept quiet about it because they had already invested heavily in making synthetic industrial diamonds.<\/p>\n
In 2012, Russian scientists drew new attention to the enormous size of the supply. Some news reports made the discovery sound like a massive treasure chest full of hidden gems.<\/p>\n
Geologists today doubt that Popigai’s cache will flood the market any time soon. The crater is extremely remote, and industrial diamonds can now be made more cheaply in laboratories.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re seeking a bargain on an engagement ring, these stones are unlikely to help you. However, if you need a super-tough diamond for a drill bit or grinding machine, Popigai may still sound like buried treasure!<\/p>\n
Have a suggestion for this story?We\u2019d love for you to submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Russia-GMS-Popigai_diamond-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”Close-up of a rough, metallic gray crystal with reflective surfaces and irregular edges resting on a light-colored background” title_text=”Russia GMS Popigai_diamond (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Adaptation of \u201cPopigai Nanodiamonds<\/a>\u201d by Hiroaki Ohfuji et al. Licensed under CC BY 4.0<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Russia-GMS-Popigai_diamond-drill-bits-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”Close-up of three cylindrical metal tools with coarse, diamond-coated abrasive tips arranged side by side on a white background” title_text=”Russia GMS Popigai_diamond drill bits (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Photo \u201c2mm Diamond Drill Bits Macro<\/a>\u201d by Junkyardsparkle. CC0 1.0 Universal<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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Learning Activity:<\/p>\n
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- Connecting to the Standards: Expressions and Equations<\/a> (Grade 6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sample Problems:<\/p>\n
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- How many zeros are in one trillion? Write this number in scientific notation.<\/li>\n
- Draw a circle that represents the crater. Now calculate how much of that circle contains diamonds. Shade that one differently. What percentage of the crater contains diamonds?<\/li>\n
- If the crater has a diameter of 62 miles, what is the area of the circle it encompasses? What would those measurements be in kilometers?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Popigai\u2019s stones may be useful for industry, but this type of diamond can also be made in laboratories. When people can create a resource another way, how should they decide whether to mine it from a remote or fragile landscape? Who should have a voice in that decision, and how should the benefits and risks be shared?<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
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- A geologist’s opinion that the Popogai crater is overhyped<\/a><\/li>\n
- Facts for kids<\/a> about the Popogai crater<\/li>\n
- More information about the value of the site<\/a><\/li>\n
- Video showing industrial diamonds<\/a><\/li>\n
- How to make impact diamonds<\/a> in a laboratory<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
- Facts for kids<\/a> about the Popogai crater<\/li>\n
- A geologist’s opinion that the Popogai crater is overhyped<\/a><\/li>\n
- Connecting to the Standards: Expressions and Equations<\/a> (Grade 6)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n