Mount Erebus, the world’s tallest volcano located in Antarctica, is causing a stir among scientists with its daily ejection of gold.
The volcano typically spews out steam, gases and rocks, but it’s the tiny specks of crystallized gold that are intriguing experts.
These golden particles have been found as far as 621 miles from the site, and they are worth up to £5,000, or over $6,000.
Standing at a towering 12,448 feet tall, Mount Erebus is one of Antarctica’s 138 active volcanoes. NASA scientists believe that the molten rock easily rises up from the Earth’s interior, carrying gold particles to the surface where they crystallise in the sub-zero temperatures.
According to GeologyHub, “Mount Erebus is one of a number of volcanoes which actively produces gold during its eruptive activity. However, it is the only volcano which produces solid gold particles instead of the material being disseminated or occurring in a gas/liquid form.”
Scientists have suggested that these particles then travel through the air, as the “gold dust” has been found 621 miles away from the source.
(Image: Getty Images)
The volcano reportedly produces 64.4lbs of gold each year, worth around $2m (£1.5m). However, anyone hoping to cash in should be warned that mining the gold would be too dangerous due to the threat of random volcanic explosions.
The volcano also sporadically ejects rock in strombolian eruptions.
This fiery beast is believed to be the southernmost active volcano on the planet, towering over the McMurdo research base on Ross Island. Erebus holds the distinction of being the most famous peak in Antarctica.
The volcano also features a lava lake in its summit crater that’s been active since at least 1972. Due to its isolated location, satellites are mainly used to keep an eye on its activity.
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