Earth’s core releases gold and precious metals through volcanic eruptions

Most of Earth’s gold is locked deep within the planet’s super-hot molten core. However, new research on Hawaiian volcanic rocks reveals that this gold—along with other precious metals like platinum—is slowly escaping.

Scientists discovered traces of rare silver-gray metals in volcanic rock samples. These metals were common when Earth formed 4.5 billion years ago, but most sank into the core as the planet developed.

Now, through a process that has continued since Earth’s formation, these precious metals are leaking from the core into the mantle (the layer between the core and crust). When volcanoes erupt, especially in places like Hawaii, they carry these metals up to the surface.

This ongoing leak means more gold and other precious metals will likely continue appearing in Earth’s crust over time, giving us access to materials that were once unreachable in the planet’s center.