Volcanic Weathering: Carbon Capture via Rock Mineralization
Volcanic weathering—accelerating the natural process where CO₂ reacts with basalt and olivine to form stable carbonate minerals—could remove 1-2 gigatons of CO₂ annually by 2050. Iceland's CarbFix project already mineralizes 95% of captured CO₂ into rock within two years at costs as low as $30/ton, while agricultural applications in the UK and Brazil demonstrate dual benefits of carbon capture and improved crop yields. Though challenges remain—trace metal contamination, transport costs, and m...
