Iridium Question -- Why is Iridium plentiful in space rocks but scarce on Earth?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sanborn Chase
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Rocks Space
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 3K views
Sanborn Chase
Gold Member
Messages
70
Reaction score
13
Why is iridium plentiful in space rocks but scarce on earth?
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org

Discussion

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridium

It is thought that the total amount of iridium in the planet Earth is much higher than that observed in crustal rocks, but as with other platinum-group metals, the high density and tendency of iridium to bond with iron caused most iridium to descend below the crust when the planet was young and still molten.
So, the "missing" Iridium took a one way trip into Earth's core.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn and 1oldman2