Scientists have long been puzzled about how gold ends up on land, with the majority of it buried deep within the Earth’s core. A new study by researchers at the University of Göttingen has shed light on this mystery, revealing that material from the core can leak into rocks above it.
Key Findings
- The research team used ultra-high precision analysis techniques to detect trace amounts of ruthenium in volcanic rocks on the Hawaiian islands.
- Ruthenium is a rare element often associated with gold due to its similar properties and behavior during geological processes.
Dr. Peter Ulmer, one of the researchers involved in the study, stated:
"We believe that this ruthenium likely originated from a large-scale process involving hot mantle plumes rising through cracks between tectonic plates. These plumes can create new crust by seafloor volcanism."
Implications of the Discovery
- The discovery suggests more opportunities for finding valuable resources near mid-ocean ridges or at subduction zones where oceanic crust meets continental crust.
- This new information challenges previous assumptions about where gold reserves are stored, as more than 99.9 percent of all gold lies buried under three thousand kilometers of solid rock within the Earth’s metallic core.
Dr. Ulmer emphasized:
"This means that Fort Knox is not home to most of the world’s largest gold reserves."
He believes that much of this precious metal may be found in areas such as mid-ocean ridges or subduction zones.
Questions Raised
The research also raises questions about how other precious metals like platinum and iridium end up on land. These elements are also thought to originate from deep within the Earth’s core and have similar properties and behavior during geological processes.
Dr. Ulmer noted that while their findings do not provide direct evidence for these elements leaking into rocks above them, they suggest a possible mechanism for their transport through hot mantle plumes.
Future Research
While further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand their implications fully, scientists are excited about what this discovery could mean for our understanding of how precious metals form and accumulate over time.
In an interview, Dr. Ulmer explained:
"We’re really interested in understanding how these elements get transported through hot mantle plumes rising through cracks between tectonic plates."
He added that his team plans to search again next year using mass spectrometry techniques, stating:
"We will then look at samples from other places around Hawaii. If we find any ruthenium there too, then we’ll know if our theory was correct."
Conclusion
For now, it seems scientists may finally have an answer regarding the origins of gold on land—potentially tracing it back to processes deep within the Earth.
In related news, recent studies suggest ancient humans were able to use tools made out of metal, which was likely sourced locally rather than imported via trade networks.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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