Millions of tons of rare earths discovered near Japan

Rare-earth elements, also called lanthanides, are fifteen metals that occur together in the periodic table. They include lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium.

Many alloys are made more durable by the addition of rare-earth metals. Motors and generators contain magnets made with rare-earth elements. Rare-earth metals and alloys that contain them are used in devices such as computer memories, DVDs, rechargeable batteries, cell phones, catalytic converters, magnets, and fluorescent lighting. Phosphors used in digital displays, monitors, and televisions are created with rare-earth oxides.