Mount Erebus volcano in Antarctica 'emitting gold dust' everyday - Times of India

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

NEW DELHI: According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earth Observatory,

Mount Erebus

, an active volcanic peak in

Antarctica

, is releasing

gold dust

along with other materials into the atmosphere on a daily basis.

This phenomenon, reported by the New York Post, sees approximately 80 grams of crystallised gold emitted from the

volcano

each day, valued at nearly $6,000 (Rs 5 lakh).

Despite being located 621 miles away, the gold dust reaches distant regions due to Erebus's height of 12,448 feet.

Nasa

describes Mount Erebus as sitting above a thin crust, allowing molten rock to easily rise from the Earth's interior. The volcano regularly emits gas and steam, occasionally ejecting rock in strombolian eruptions.

Since 1972, it has hosted at least one lava lake within its caldera, a rare occurrence indicating ongoing volcanic activity. Conor Bacon of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University notes Erebus's continuous eruptions since 1972, highlighting its renowned "lava lake" where molten material remains exposed at the surface.

However, studying Erebus poses challenges due to its geographic isolation. While both Mount Erebus and Deception Island in Antarctica are monitored, they have limited permanent monitoring instruments, primarily seismometers.

Deploying additional instruments for specific studies is difficult due to logistical challenges and the harsh polar conditions, including long polar nights, according to Mr. Bacon.