#antarctica #golddiscovery #gold Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island in Antarctica, is not just the southernmost active volcano on Earth—it is also one of the most scientifically intriguing. Unlike most volcanoes that erupt sporadically, Erebus is known for its long-lived activity and open lava lake that has remained active for decades. This persistent volcanic behavior allows it to emit a continuous stream of gases and trace elements into the Antarctic atmosphere. Among these emissions is something truly astonishing: microscopic particles of real gold. Every day, the volcano releases an estimated nine thousand three hundred Australian dollars’ worth of gold into the air, in the form of ultra-fine dust carried by the rising volcanic plume. This rare and ongoing phenomenon makes Mount Erebus a remarkable subject of geological study.
This video takes an in-depth look at how and why Mount Erebus is capable of releasing gold into the atmosphere. We begin by exploring the unique geology of Ross Island, where the Earth’s crust is thinner and allows magma to rise more easily from the mantle. Unlike volcanoes that form at tectonic plate boundaries, Erebus is fueled by intraplate volcanic activity. This results in the formation of an alkaline magma type known as phonolite, which is relatively viscous and rich in volatile elements like chlorine and sulfur. These volatiles play a crucial role in the transport of gold from deep underground to the surface environment.
Deep within the magma chamber of Mount Erebus, gold exists only in trace amounts. It is not visible in chunks or veins, but instead is chemically dissolved within the molten rock. As this magma ascends toward the surface and reaches lower pressures, gases begin to exsolve—or separate—from the melt. At the intense temperatures near the lava lake, gold can form volatile compounds by bonding with chlorine or sulfur, effectively becoming part of the gas phase. These gold-bearing gas molecules are released from the surface of the lava lake and rise into the atmosphere as part of the volcano’s constant gas plume, which also contains water vapor, carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxide, and other common volcanic gases.
As these gases rise and cool rapidly in the frigid Antarctic air, their ability to hold metals in vapor form decreases. The gold-bearing molecules break down, and the gold condenses into solid form. This happens high above the crater, where the air temperature can drop far below freezing. The result is the formation of microscopic gold particles, often less than a few micrometers in diameter. These particles are so small that they remain suspended in the volcanic plume and can travel vast distances. Carried by strong Antarctic winds, this gold dust can drift for hundreds or even thousands of kilometers before settling onto the ice or becoming trapped in snow layers.
Scientific teams have confirmed the presence of gold particles in the atmosphere around Mount Erebus by analyzing air samples and snow deposits downwind of the volcano. These findings have reinforced the idea that Erebus is a natural example of how trace metals can be transported and dispersed by volcanic activity. Unlike traditional gold deposits formed over geologic time in the crust, the gold released by Erebus is not collectible or mineable—it is too fine, too sparse, and too widely distributed. However, its existence has immense scientific value. It offers real-time insight into how metals are mobilized in volcanic systems and how gaseous transport can lead to mineral deposition under the right environmental conditions.
In addition to gold, Mount Erebus emits a range of other trace elements, many of which are important for understanding the geochemistry of volcanic emissions. Its stable, persistent activity makes it one of the few places on Earth where scientists can study continuous degassing from an active lava lake. Most volcanoes are either dormant for long periods or erupt violently and unpredictably, making Erebus a rare natural laboratory for studying slow, steady volcanic processes. The volcano’s remote location and extreme environment add to the challenge of research, but also preserve the purity of atmospheric and snow samples, reducing contamination and allowing for clearer measurements.
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