US-Russian civilian research and development fund project: An origin of microdiamonds in metamorphic rocks of the Kokchetav Massif, Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

The Kokchetav Massif of northern Kazakhstan is a type-locality of occurrence of microdiamonds in ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks. It records continental subduction and exhumation from depths greater than 120 km and provides unparalleled insights into mantle dynamics, global material recycling and the processes responsible for the genesis and destruction of continent. Through the support of a US Civilian Development and Research Fund, a group of Russian, US, Taiwanese and Kazakhstan geologists visited the reconstructed 800-m underground gallery to conduct field survey and sample collections. This gallery provides a useful geologic laboratory for international community to undertake similar geotectonic or different ecological and environmental studies.