Antarctic Volcano Spews Gold Dust Daily, NASA Reveals
Discover the incredible natural phenomenon in Antarctica where Mount Erebus is spitting out gold dust worth $6,000 daily. Named after the personification of darkness in Greek mythology, this active volcano emits gas pockets containing crystallized gold particles, with researchers finding gold in volcanic gases and surrounding snow. Despite the tragic event in 1979 when Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed into its side, Mount Erebus continues to erupt, with NASA Earth Observatory reporting the gold emission reaching up to 621 miles away.
Antarctica’s Volcanoes: What We Know
Antarctica is home to the largest volcanic region on Earth, with as many as 138 volcanoes. While most are not classified as active, Mount Erebus and Deception Island are known to be active. Mount Erebus has been continuously erupting since at least 1972, emitting plumes of gas and steam, and occasionally spewing out rock ‘bombs.’ Its persistent lava lake provides scientists with a rare opportunity to study the inner workings of a volcano in real-time.