earth’s Core Secretly Leaking Gold, Study Reveals
Breaking: New research indicates that earth’s core is not as isolated as previously thought.Scientists have discovered that precious metals, including gold, are seeping from the core into the mantle, the layer between the earth’s crust adn core. This phenomenon eventually leads to thes metals surfacing in volcanic islands like Hawaii.
The groundbreaking theory emerged from a three-year analysis of basaltic rocks from Hawaii. The rocks, formed from magma plumes rising from the ocean floor, contained heavy metals that suggest the molten core is “bleeding” into the mantle.
Evidence From Hawaiian Rocks
Nils Messling, a geochemist at the University Of Göttingen in Germany and the lead author of the study published in Nature, stated that this research provides the frist strong evidence of core material ending up in the mantle. For decades, geologists have suspected this interaction, but previous signals were ambiguous.
It’s already known that the majority of earth’s gold, over 99.95 percent, resides in the molten core, along with other heavy elements like platinum. This reservoir of precious metals formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago during the early formation of the planet.
Basalt sampled from a drill core section from the Kilauea Iki lava lake, which erupted in 1959, is shown. The Hawaiian lava rock contains a small trace of Earth’s core, the analysis found.(supplied / CNN / Nils Messling)
Now, this latest study suggests that a tiny amount of this gold has made it’s way to the surface. This discovery raises the intriguing possibility that more precious metals could migrate from the earth’s center to the crust over time.
Implications Of Core-Mantle Interaction
Matthias Willbold, a professor at the University Of Göttingen and coauthor of the study, emphasized that their findings demonstrate the earth’s core is not as isolated as previously thought. Super-heated mantle material originates at the core-mantle boundary and rises to the surface, forming ocean islands like Hawaii.
To investigate this core-mantle interaction, researchers analyzed Hawaiian volcanic rock samples obtained from the Smithsonian Institution.The team extracted elements from the platinum group, focusing on ruthenium, a rare silver-gray metal.
“Did You Know?” Ruthenium is one of the rarest elements in the earth’s crust, with the mantle containing almost none of it, while the core holds a meaningful amount.
Ruthenium: A Key Indicator
The earth’s core consists of a solid metal sphere of iron and nickel surrounded by a liquid metal outer core. The mantle, in contrast, is primarily solid rock.
To determine the origin of the ruthenium found in the volcanic rocks, the team examined a specific isotope that was likely more abundant in earth’s early building materials during core formation.
Pedro Waterton, an assistant professor of geochemistry at the University Of Copenhagen (who was not involved in the study), noted that most gold and precious metals were delivered by meteorite impacts during earth’s early formation.
The detection of this ruthenium isotope in basalt samples indicates that at least some of the rock originated from the molten metallic core. The isotope signature in rocks from hotspot volcanoes like Hawaii differs from any known rock or meteorite, suggesting it was locked away in the core billions of years ago.
The researchers highlight the difficulty of measuring ruthenium in rocks with minimal amounts.The chemical similarity between ruthenium and gold suggests that if the core is leaking ruthenium, it is indeed also leaking gold in similar quantities.
Challenges and Future prospects
While this leakage is minuscule, the core-mantle boundary is far deeper than current drilling technology can reach. Proof of interaction between the core and mantle is significant, as these layers should not mix due to density differences.
Messling estimates that the leaking process takes between 500 million and 1 billion years to complete, suggesting it is an ongoing phenomenon.
if the leaking of precious metals continues, it is indeed plausible that some of the gold that humans have mined originated from the core, indicating a potential replenishment of the world’s gold supply.
“Pro Tip:” This process, though tiny on an individual island scale, could significantly alter the earth’s composition over billions of years.
Expert Opinions
Researchers not involved in the study have expressed positive feedback. Helen Williams, a professor of geochemistry and planetary science at the university Of Cambridge, affirms that the study confirms that mantle plumes contain material from earth’s metallic core.
Jesse Reimink, an associate professor of geosciences at Pennsylvania State University, agrees that the study supports the conclusion that the core contributes material to the mantle.
Waterton from the University Of Copenhagen adds that the research strengthens the case that some mantle plumes incorporate material from earth’s core, suggesting that a small amount of gold in earth’s crust may indeed originate from the core.
Key Differences Between Earth’s Layers
| Layer | Composition | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Iron and Nickel (Solid Inner core, Liquid Outer Core) | Extends to about 2,897 km below the surface |
| Mantle | Mostly Solid Rock | 2,897 km thick |
| Crust | Solid Rock (various types) | Variable thickness |
How might this discovery impact our understanding of earth’s formation? Could this “leaking” have implications for other elements beyond precious metals?
The Broader implications of Core Leakage
The revelation that Earth’s core isn’t a completely sealed system opens several exciting avenues for future research. Understanding the mechanisms that allow material to transfer between the core and mantle could shed light on the planet’s thermal history and the evolution of its magnetic field.
Furthermore, investigating the transport of other elements, not just precious metals, may reveal insights into the distribution of essential elements for life and geological processes across the Earth.
Frequently asked Questions About Core Leakage
- What Precious Metals Are Leaking From The Earth’s Core? Gold, platinum, and ruthenium are among the precious metals seeping from the earth’s core into the mantle.
- How Are Scientists Detecting The Leakage? Scientists are analyzing volcanic rocks from places like hawaii, looking for specific isotope signatures.
- Why Is Gold Found In volcanic Rocks? Gold and other elements are carried to the surface via mantle plumes, forming volcanic islands.
- Is this Core Leakage A New Finding? While the idea isn’t new, this study gives the strongest evidence that the earth’s core is leaking.
- Could We Mine Gold Directly From The Earth’s Core? No, the core-mantle boundary is far too deep for current drilling technology.
- How Does This affect The Earth’s Composition? Over billions of years, leakage could alter Earth’s composition, although the effect on a single island is negligible.
- What is The Significance Of Finding Ruthenium In Volcanic Rocks? The ruthenium’s isotope signature says it came from earth’s core, evidence of core material in the mantle.
What are your thoughts on this interesting discovery? Share your comments below!
