Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Mount Erebus, one of Antarctica’s most active volcanoes, spews gold dust every day, releasing around 80 grams of gold valued at approximately $6,000. The gold dust, carried by the volcano’s emissions, has been detected up to 1,000 kilometers away, according to a report from IFL Science on October 17, 2024.
Standing 12,448 feet tall, Erebus is the tallest active volcano in Antarctica and the southernmost active volcano on Earth. The volcano was named after Erebus, the Greek personification of darkness, and was first observed erupting by Captain Sir James Clark Ross in 1841.
Mount Erebus has a lava lake that has been bubbling with molten rock since at least 1972, regularly releasing gas and vapor into the atmosphere. Occasionally, Erebus also ejects partially molten rocks, known as “volcanic bombs.” However, what makes Erebus particularly unique is that its volcanic gases contain tiny metallic gold crystals, each measuring less than 20 micrometers in size.
Scientists have been closely monitoring the volcano using satellite imagery, which shows the steady emission of gas and vapor, along with trace amounts of gold. The discovery of these gold crystals, despite their small size, adds to the intrigue surrounding Erebus’ volcanic activity, offering researchers valuable insights into the geological processes at work beneath the surface.
Erebus is also remembered for a tragic event in its history. On November 28, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into the side of the volcano, killing all 257 people aboard. The flight was part of a sightseeing program that took passengers on an 11-hour round trip from Auckland to Antarctica and back to New Zealand.
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While the gold emitted from Mount Erebus isn’t enough to spark a gold rush, it highlights the fascinating and unpredictable nature of the Earth’s geology. Researchers continue to study this unique phenomenon to better understand how volcanic activity can produce such rare minerals.
(Becky)
