Earth's mineral diversity 75% greater than previously thought - MINING.COM - MINING.com

New research shows that the number of “mineral kinds” totals more than 10,500, a number 75% greater than the 6,000 mineral species recognized by the International Mineralogical Association.

According to co-authors Robert Hazen and Shaunna Morrison, once mineral genesis is factored in, the number of mineral kinds — a newly-coined term — totals more than 10,500, a number about 75% greater… [+3777 chars]

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