Göttingen University uncovers precious metals leaking from Earth's core

In a groundbreaking study led by Göttingen University, researchers made a surprising discovery in volcanic rocks from Hawaii. The analysis revealed the presence of gold and other precious metals, prompting researchers to reevaluate their understanding of Earth's geology, particularly regarding the interaction between the Earth's core and mantle. Dr. Nils Messling from Göttingen's Department of Geochemistry expressed astonishment upon receiving the initial test results that confirmed the presence of these valuable materials. This finding challenges long-held beliefs about the isolation of Earth's core. The research highlights that about 99% of Earth's gold is traditionally thought to be buried deep within the planet's metallic core, some 1,800 miles below the surface. The volcanic rocks, believed to have originated from deep within the lithosphere, serve as a conduit for these core materials, which have been leaking into the mantle. This suggests that significant quantities of super-heated mantle materials may rise from the core-mantle boundary to contribute to the geological formations we see today, like Hawaii's volcanic islands. Professor Matthias Willbold noted that the findings indicate a flow of material from the Earth's core, defying previous assumptions about its isolation. The volume of mantle material in question is immense, estimated at several hundreds of quadrillion metric tonnes of rock. This discovery opens up new questions about the Earth's internal dynamics and the ongoing processes that contribute to volcanic activity and island formation. Furthermore, the presence of ruthenium alongside gold in these rocks could have implications for understanding the Earth's resource distribution. With these precious metals reaching the surface, it may suggest that significant reserves needed for renewable energy technologies are sourced from the core, a concept that could transform views on resource supply and sustainability in the future.