One of the world’s most active volcanoes is spewing out 80 grams of gold dust daily – with an estimated value of £5,000, according to researchers.
Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth located in Antarctica, releases tiny pieces of crystallised gold among gas, steam and rock.
These specks have also been discovered in the air 621 miles away from Erebus, showing the force of its eruption and why it is considered on of the most active fissures on the planet.
Though anybody hoping to make a quick buck should be aware of the extremely dangerous conditions it sits in, with regular arctic lows of around -50C meaning visiting is not advised.
With a summit of around 3,794 meters, Erebus is the tallest volcano in Antarctica which is home to an estimated 138.
READ MORE: Iceland volcano eruption – State of emergency as lava spews hundreds of feet
Erebus is also well known as the site of the 1979 Air New Zealand Flight 901 disaster.
All 237 passengers and 20 crew onboard were killed when the plane crashed into the volcano as part of a sightseeing tour that set off from Auckland, New Zealand and was due to last several hours.
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Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
