This volcano is releasing gold 'dust' worth over $6,000, baffling scientists

Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s tallest volcano, has recently started puzzling scientists with its unusual daily release of gold particles. Although the volcano releases steam, rocks, and gases normally, it's the tiny specks of crystallised gold that have captured the attention of researchers. If reports are to go by, these golden particles, carried by the wind, have been discovered as far as 621 miles from the volcano’s summit, with their value estimated at up to £5,000 or over $6,000.

Mount Erebus stands 12,448 ft tall and is one of 138 active volcanoes in Antarctica. According to NASA scientists, molten rock rises to the surface from deep within the Earth, which causes gold particles to crystallise in the region's extremely cold temperatures. The experts further explained that although there are other volcanoes that can produce gold as gas or liquid, the case of Mount Erebus is a little bit different as it is extracting gold particles, making it stand out from the others. These particles travel through the air and are believed to disperse 'in the form of gold dust' in the vast distance.

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As per the records, the volcano is said to produce approximately 64.4 pounds of gold annually, which is estimated to be around $2 million (£1.5 million). Although the worth of the gold cannot be denied, experts are against the idea of attempting to mine due to the inherent dangers that unpredictable volcanoes can pose. Mount Erebus is known for its periodic strombolian eruptions, which means it can hurl rocks and other debris, further increasing the risk.

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Mount Erebus, as the southernmost active volcano on Earth, looms over the McMurdo research base on Ross Island and is considered one of Antarctica's most renowned landmarks. There is also a continuous lava lake within the summit crater. It has been in operation since at least 1972. Considering its remote location satellites serve as the prime source for monitoring volcanic activity. To ensure that researchers would be notified of the eruption.

Although this extraordinary feature of Mount Erebus producing gold is fascinating, its remote setting and volatile nature make it an extraordinary but perilous feature of the Antarctic landscape.