Here's what's really happening:
* Hazen's Research: Hazen is a renowned mineralogist who studies the formation and evolution of minerals. He's particularly interested in how minerals change under extreme conditions found deep within the Earth.
* High-Pressure Experiments: To simulate these conditions, he uses specialized equipment called diamond anvil cells. These devices use diamonds to apply incredible pressure to tiny samples of minerals. Imagine squeezing a pebble between two diamonds with the force of a car!
* Transformations: This extreme pressure can cause minerals to transform into entirely new forms with different properties. Hazen uses various techniques, including X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy, to study these transformations.
* Understanding Earth: By understanding how minerals change under high pressure, we can learn more about the Earth's internal structure, the formation of rocks and gemstones, and the origin of life on our planet.
So, while the pressure Hazen applies is extreme and can indeed cause dramatic changes in minerals, he's not blowing them up with bombs! He's using a carefully controlled scientific method to study the fascinating world of minerals under pressure.
