Mount Erebus: Antarctica’s active volcano emits 2.8oz gold per day
Experts claim that Mount Erebus, one of Antarctica’s active volcanoes was detected spewing out gold — as well as other emissions.
In a recent discovery, scientists found that the highest active volcano in Antarctica is emitting gold particles along with volcanic gases.
Mount Erebus which is still volcanically active was detected spewing gold with emissions. In fact this discovery was made in 1991 first by American geologists.
The new finding remains consistent with the 1991 spotting of gold emission from the volcano. Both then and now, researchers have detected gold particles in the volcanic gases emitted by the volcano, as well as in surrounding snow.
Scientists’ evaluations suggest the daily output of gold is roughly 2.8 ounces (80 grams), which appears to be consistent with what was observed back in 1991.
Gold deposits likely originated from volcanic rock
Philip Kyle, from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, clarified that gold deposits can originate in volcanic rock.
When lava from the mountain – which has a summit elevation of 3,794 meters (12,448 feet) – emits hot gas, this carries some of the gold particles into the air.
Mount Erebus apparently spits gold flecks measured between ‘0.1 and 20 micrometers’ in the volcanic gases and ’60 micrometers’ in surrounding snow.
This volcano is among Antarctica‘s 138 active volcanoes. According to Geo News, the volcano, which joins Deception Island, is one of the two active volcanoes in the region and spews gold dust daily, worth $6,000.
Located on Ross Island in Antarctica, the volcano’s gold deposits seem to originate from a volcanic rock. Experts found that the emission of hot gas during volcanic activity carries gold particles into the air.
Additionally, Mount Erebus also holds importance due to a tragic event in 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into its side, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew.
Gold detected 621 miles from Erebus’ southernmost lava-spewer
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth Observatory reported that the precious metal dust has been detected as far as 621 miles from Erebus’ southernmost lava-spewer. This is 12,448 feet high (3,794.02 meters), as part of other spewing phenomena.
NASA stated, “It regularly emits plumes of gas and steam and occasionally spits out rock (bombs).”
Conor Bacon of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, New York, says that this volcano has been continuously erupting since 1972.
Bacon said that Erebus is also understood to comprise a “lava lake” at one of its summit craters.
“These are actually quite rare, as it requires some very specific conditions to be met to ensure the surface never freezes over.”
Due to the lack of knowledge about volcanic formats in Antarctica, it is challenging to comprehend the possible events that could activate the other hundred-plus icy volcanoes.
As per Geo News, Bacon articulated that Erebus and Deception Island have a limited number of “permanent monitoring instruments” that “primarily consist of seismometers to detect seismic activity associated with volcanic unrest.”
“From time to time, researchers will deploy more extensive networks of instruments to conduct specific studies, but this naturally comes with a huge number of logistical challenges when compared to the many, far more accessible, volcanoes elsewhere in the world.”
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