What is Enhanced weathering?

Enhanced weathering is a process that aims to accelerate the natural weathering by spreading finely ground silicate rock, such as basalt, onto surfaces which speeds up chemical reactions between rocks, water, and air. It also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, permanently storing it in solid carbonate minerals or ocean alkalinity. The latter also slows ocean acidification.

Although existing mine tailings or alkaline industrial silicate minerals may be used at first, mining more basalt might eventually be required to limit climate change.