Unlocking Earth’s Hidden Treasure: How Gold from the Core is Seeping to the Surface

Recent research has revealed something intriguing about Earth’s core: it’s leaking gold and other precious metals into the mantle and crust. A study led by geochemist Nils Messling from Göttingen University found that volcanic rocks from deep within the Earth carry isotopes, which show evidence of these metals migrating from the core.

Imagine Earth as a treasure chest, with gold hoarded deep inside. Most of its gold—over 99%—is tucked away in the metallic core. Some researchers estimate that if all the gold in the core surfaced, it could cover the entire planet in a layer about 20 inches thick.

Historically, when Earth was forming, heavier elements sank to its core through a process known as the "iron catastrophe." This event set the stage for what we’re noticing today—the gradual movement of those precious metals toward the surface.

To understand the source of gold and other heavy metals we find in the crust, scientists turned to ruthenium, a rare precious metal. The isotopes of ruthenium found in the core are slightly different from those on the surface. Messling’s team developed new techniques to detect these isotopes, which led to the surprising finding of high levels of ruthenium-100 in Hawaiian volcanic rock. This isotope is known to originate from Earth’s core.

This discovery means that other similar elements—like palladium, rhodium, and platinum—are likely leaking out too. However, the rate at which these metals escape is slow. Digging down 1,800 miles to find gold isn’t an option; gaining insights about our planet and its processes is more valuable.

This study indicates that Earth’s core is not as isolated as we thought. Geochemist Matthias Willbold points out that massive amounts of heated rock, originating from the core, rise to create structures like the Hawaiian Islands.

This research not only provides fascinating insights into our planet’s geology but could also have implications for our understanding of other rocky planets in our solar system. Given the recent focus on space exploration, these findings may spark interest in how similar processes could occur elsewhere.

For more details on the study, check it out in Nature.

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