Erebus volcano emits gold dust

Antarctica is a cold, ice—covered continent, but volcanic activity is also observed there. For example, experts have counted 138 volcanoes in West Antarctica and on Mary Bird Land. Most of them are asleep, but about 10 are active.

During the expeditions, ice cores were collected on the continent. As demonstrated by sediment analysis, Antarctica experienced the most powerful eruptions during the last ice Age.

In recent history, eruptions of only three volcanoes on the continent have been recorded. The southernmost active volcano on the planet is Erebus (altitude 3794 m). A lava lake has been bubbling in its crater since at least 1972. The giant systematically emits steam and gas columns, which, as experts have found, contain gold crystals about 20 microns in size, IFL Science reports.

This dust spreads over huge distances — up to a thousand kilometers. According to experts, the volcano releases approximately 80 grams of gold per day (the price of this amount is 6 thousand dollars).