Namibia holds possibly the largest marine diamond deposits in the world. This fact relates to which type of deposit?

Namibia holds possibly the largest marine diamond deposits in the world. This fact relates to which type of deposit?

• A. Terrestrial deposits
• B. Marine deposits
• C. Synthetic deposits
• D. Alluvial deposits

Answer: (B)

Diamonds can accumulate in marine environments as placer deposits, where their high density causes them to settle out of moving water and settle in seabed gravels and beach sands. Namibia’s large diamond resources are offshore and nearshore marine deposits, formed and concentrated by marine processes on the continental shelf. This distinguishes them from land-based sources like terrestrial deposits (inland pipes and rocks), alluvial deposits (river gravels and floods), or synthetic deposits (lab-made). So the described deposits are marine deposits.

Diamonds can accumulate in marine environments as placer deposits, where their high density causes them to settle out of moving water and settle in seabed gravels and beach sands. Namibia’s large diamond resources are offshore and nearshore marine deposits, formed and concentrated by marine processes on the continental shelf. This distinguishes them from land-based sources like terrestrial deposits (inland pipes and rocks), alluvial deposits (river gravels and floods), or synthetic deposits (lab-made). So the described deposits are marine deposits.