Benevolently hidden beneath our feet, the core of Earth is a seething sphere of molten and solid metal bursting with gold, platinum, and other precious metals. Scientists thought these treasures were locked away permanently, buried under thousands of miles of rock decades ago. New studies, however, point to something quite remarkable: gold is leaking from Earth’s core and some of it might have already surfaced. Analyzing Hawaiian volcanic rocks reveals a discovery that questions accepted wisdom regarding the hidden depths of our planet and suggests a dramatic trip of metals from the core to the crust.
Earth’s Core: A Hidden Goldmine
Comprising mostly iron and nickel, the dense, metal-rich sphere known as Earth’s core contains trace amounts of gold, platinum, and other siderophile (“iron-loving”) elements. Actually, an estimated 99.9% of the gold on Earth is found in the core; enough to cover the planet in a 4-meter-thick layer of the precious metal. But how could gold possibly flee this metallic jail?
Recent studies reveal that ruthenium (Ru), a rare platinum-group metal, carries a unique isotopic signature that differs between the core and the mantle. By analyzing volcanic rocks from Hawaii, researchers detected this core-like ruthenium proving that metals are migrating upward from the core-mantle boundary, nearly 2,900 km (1,800 miles) below the surface.
Hawaii’s Volcanoes: A Window Into Earth’s Core
Hawaii’s volcanic activity is fueled by a deep mantle plume, a column of superheated rock rising from near the core-mantle boundary. When scientists examined lava from Kīlauea volcano, they found ruthenium with isotopic ratios only possible if it originated in the core25.
This find implies that plumes move core material upward like elevators. These metals blend with the mantle over millions of years, finally erupting at the surface. Lead researcher Nils Messling said “Our data confirmed that material from the core, including gold and other precious metals, is leaking into the Earth’s mantle.”
The Great Metal Migration: How Core Leakage Works
How then do metals get away from the core? The procedure most certainly consists in:
- Chemical Exchange Boundary: Core-Mantle Boundary Reactions generated by extreme heat and pressure let metals dissolve into the lowestmost mantle.
- Superheated plumes carrying these metals ascend where they mix with mantle rock.
- Eventually some of this metal-enriched rock melts and erupts at hotspots like Hawaii.
Given their 2,900-kilometer journey over billions of years, some of the gold extracted today might have started in the core of Earth.
Africa’s Rift: Another Clue to Core Leakage?
Hawaii isn’t the only place where deep Earth processes are revealing core secrets. The East African Rift System (EARS), where the continent is slowly splitting apart, is also linked to a superplume rising from the core-mantle boundary .
Recent studies detected primordial noble gases (like neon) in Kenyan volcanic rocks with signatures matching those found in Hawaii. This suggests that both regions tap into the same deep mantle reservoir, possibly fed by material leaking from the core.
Could We Mine Core Gold? The Reality
Although the concept of extracting gold from the center of Earth is pure science fiction, the discovery of core leakage has pragmatic consequences:
- The evolution of Earth is shaped by core-mantle interactions influencing plate tectonics and volcanic activity.
- Finding metal-rich deposits: Ancient core leakage could have enrichment of some ore deposits.
- Forecasting Volcanic Hazards: Plume dynamics shapes eruptions like the 2018 destruction of Kīlauea.
The Future of Core Studies: What’s Next?
For comparable core leakage evidence, scientists are now looking at other hotspots including Iceland and Yellowstone. Isotope analysis and advanced seismic imaging could expose the remaining ascent of gold and platinum.
Co-author of the Hawaii research Matthias Willbold said, “The Earth’s core is not as isolated as we thought.” This discovery marks a new chapter in geoscience whereby the darkest secrets of Earth might just show up where least expected.
Final Thought
The next time you wear a gold ring, think about this: its atoms might have started an epic journey from the fiery core of our planet and finally found their way into your hands. Science is only starting to follow the path of the gradually rising hidden treasures in the core.
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Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Finance & Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia. Before AATG, Jan worked for Google, Axel Springer, BMW and others.
