Diamond technologies of the USSR and encrypted radiogram of geologists

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

In the twentieth century, due to technological progress in industrial sectors, diamonds began to be used more and more often. Prior to this period, the diamond was associated with expensive jewelry. In fact, it was so. But in the process of conducting various studies, scientists and specialists came to the conclusion that this gem is indispensable in other spheres of human activity.

The rocket and space industry direction was no exception. With the help of diamonds, industrial laser systems and installations were designed and built. The stone was also necessary for working with metal. Unfortunately, the situation with this important, significant element was not the best for the Soviet Union of Socialist Republics.

Ural is not good

The richest deposits of precious stones (discovered) were then in the Urals. But their number was not enough to meet the needs of a huge state. The shortage of diamonds in the USSR was also associated with the peculiarities of the country's socialist system. It was not part of the world market system, which was another reason for the shortage of raw materials. In spite of everything, scientists and geologists carried out their research and believed that the search for the mineral needed to be expanded - to organize them in Yakutia. It was this region in all respects suitable for the terrain, where there should be rich deposits of stone.

The first scientific and geological expeditions to this region were organized in the forty-ninth year of the last century. They brought a positive result, since separate deposits of stone were found. But the success was local. The discovered deposits were relatively small in size. The amount of minerals could not fully provide the state with raw materials.

By the mid-fifties, the situation had changed radically. Gradually, one after another, in a relatively short time, several impressive sources of the precious stone were discovered.

"Zarnitsa". Great, but not enough

In 1954, in the summer, another organized expedition, whose task was to search for diamond deposits, became more successful than the previous ones, although not by much.

Its participants, L. Popugaeva and F. Belikov (geologists) found the first kimberlite pipe recorded in the territory of the Soviet Union. A kimberlite pipe is a place where there are many diamond deposits. Such pipes are formed as a result of gas explosions in underground reservoirs (located at great depths). In most cases, they are shaped like a large funnel. The pipe is based on rocks, the geological features of which contribute to the formation of diamonds.

The find was named "Zarnitsa". Its discovery became significant for Larisa Popugaeva. For this achievement, she received one of the most honorable awards in the USSR - the Order of Lenin. But even here, unfortunately, there was not so much stone as required by the state. But there is also a positive side to the discovery. "Zarnitsa" became proof of the presence of a precious stone in Yakutia, which means that it made sense to continue the search for it. Over time, it became clear that the geologists' assumption was correct.

Peace pipe

About a year after the discovery of the already familiar "Zarnitsa", finally, geologists managed to make another find, exactly the one that the government of the Soviet Union had been waiting for so long. In the summer of 1955, three geologists, Avdeenko, Elagina and Khabardin, found a second kimberlite pipe.

The event is important, and a rather entertaining story is connected with it. Diamond at that time was a product with the status of national importance. Accordingly, all his searches were classified as "top secret." It was not possible to openly communicate what the search results were. The radio message went to the government encrypted. The geologists turned out to be humorous. They sent the text: "We lit a pipe of peace, the tobacco is excellent."

After two years from the moment of discovery, the field began to be actively developed. The name was given to him simple and sonorous - "Peace". Most likely, the content of the radiogram also played a role here. It was this source that made it possible for the Soviet Union to declare itself on the international-class diamond market.

Winning "Lucky"

At the same time and in the same year, another pipe was discovered by the geologist Shchukin near Zarnitsa. Only a few short days passed between the discoveries of this rich deposit and "Mir". And it was really a huge success.

In connection with a happy coincidence, the newly opened quarry was named "Udachny". Moreover, this deposit confirmed the position of the USSR in the world diamond market.

Conclusion

These important finds brought the state an annual profit of $ 1,000,000,000. Of course, the country's industry has stepped forward. It can be assumed that events such as the space flight of the first man and the dominant position in the field of astronautics in the sixties simply would not have taken place without the described finds and those people who devoted themselves to searching for diamond deposits, thereby playing a huge role in the development of the mighty state.