The mystery of the volcano that releases gold dust: where it is located and why this phenomenon occurs

2024-04-23 15:57:00

The Erebus volcano, located in Antarctica, is surprising because it emits gold dust

Loose volcanoes They are the connection we have from the surface of the planet with the bowels of the earth. And in general, volcanic eruptions emit gases, lava, rocks, ash, but also various types of minerals.

But what happens to the volcano? Erebus, located in Antarctica It is fantastic: spits gold dust.

Erebus, Antarctica, It is the southernmost active volcano on Earth. It has a height of 3,794 meters and is located on Ross Island, which also has three other active volcanoes. This mountain is part of Pacific Ring of Fire, which includes 1,600 active volcanoes on the planet.

Experts studying it say it is in an area where the crust has thinned, allowing magma to easily flow to the surface through faults, releasing pockets of gas, containing around 80 grams of gold. Less often, throwing rocks in Strombolian eruptions.

The Pacific Ring of Fire includes around 1,600 active volcanoes (Cenapred)

This volcano emits flecks of crystallized gold at an estimated rate of 6,000 euros per day, calculated by researchers studying it. Its frequent explosions have left this gold dust scattered up to 1000 km from the crater.

NASA specialists reveal it molten rock can be lifted easily from inside the earth, transports gold particles to the surface and crystallizes. Experts suspect that the particles move through the air like gold dust, which would help dissolve why it can be found outside the crater.

It has been observed that this volcano has been continuously active since 1972, and in its vicinity is Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory, led by the New Mexico Mining and Technology Institute (New Mexico Tech).

Pacific Ring of Fire in a planetary representation (National Geographic)

Philip Kyle, part New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, clarified that gold deposits may originate from volcanic rock. “When lava from the mountain, which has a peak height of 3,794 meters (12,448 feet), emits hot gas, this transports some of the gold particles into the air. Mount Erebus apparently spits gold specks between 0.1 and 20 micrometers into the volcanic gases and “60 micrometers” in the surrounding snow,” explained the expert.

He Earth Observatory of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that precious metal dust has been spotted as far away as 621 miles from Erebus’ southernmost lava jet. This is 12,448 feet high (3,794.02 meters), as part of other deportation phenomena.

NASA stated: “It emits regular bursts of gas and steam and occasionally spits out rocks (bombs).” It is a volcanic activity which has attracted the attention of geologists worldwidewho are trying to learn more regarding the mountain’s emissions and understand why an active lava lake has persisted for so long.

This volcano has been observed to have been continuously active since 1972

According to NASA, recent research suggests that one reason may be the low water content in the magma, which makes it less volatile when it approaches the surface.

Before this lava lake appeared, Mount Erebus is known to have been active in 1841.. This was reported by the British Royal Navy officer James Clark Ross, who saw it at the time for the first time during his Antarctic exploration.

He Doctor of Geology, Conor Bacon, of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University, New York, said that this volcano has been erupting continuously since 1972 and that it includes a “lava lake” in one of the summit craters.

“These are actually quite rare, as they require some very specific conditions to be met to secure it the surface never freezes“, he claimed. Due to the lack of knowledge regarding volcanic formats in Antarctica, it is challenging to understand the possible events that might activate the other hundred frozen volcanoes.

Scientists want more instruments to monitor the activity of the volcano (EFE/Alanah Torralba)

Bacon articulated that Erebus and Deception Island have one limited number of permanent monitoring instruments which primarily consists of seismometers to detect seismic activity associated with volcanic disturbances.

– From time to time scientists will deploy larger networks of instruments to carry out specific studies, but this naturally comes with a number of logistical challenges compared to the many, much more accessible volcanoes in other parts of the world, he said.

The name of this huge mountain became known because the air tragedy of Air New Zealand flight 901, which crashed into the hillside on 28 November 1979 causing the death of 257 people on board.

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