Scientists Found Gold in the Most Ironic Place Possible
10 hours ago
- #hydrothermal vents
- #marine geology
- #gold discovery
- Japanese scientists discovered undersea hydrothermal vents at Higashi-Aogashima Knoll Caldera over a decade ago, revealing mineral-rich deposits.
- Geologists found elemental gold interlaced within pyrite ('fool's gold') at concentrations up to 1.9% by weight, about 440 times higher than other deep-sea gold deposits.
- The gold, described as 'invisible gold,' is woven at an atomic level within pyrite, detected via secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) analysis.
- The unique chemistry of the hydrothermal vents, including arsenic contaminants and rapid cooling, may have facilitated gold incorporation into pyrite.
- The discovery site is relatively shallow at about 2,300-2,690 feet below sea level, potentially easing future commercial development challenges.