Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth, is located in Antarctica, towering 12,448 feet above the icy landscape. While known for emitting steam, gas, and volcanic bombs, what sets Erebus apart is its emission of micro-crystals of gold. These particles, as small as 20 micrometers, are carried by volcanic gas and have been detected over 600 miles away. Daily emissions amount to around 80 grams, valued at $6,000 (roughly ₹5 lakh). This phenomenon makes Erebus the only known volcano to release metallic gold in solid form.
How Erebus Produces Gold
Scientists attribute this rare occurrence to molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's interior, carrying gold particles that crystallize in the sub-zero temperatures of Antarctica. While many volcanoes produce gold in gas or liquid form, Mount Erebus stands out for releasing solid gold dust. According to GeologyHub, the volcano produces about 64 pounds of gold annually, valued at around $2 million. However, mining this gold is too dangerous due to the volcano’s unpredictable eruptions.
A Site of Scientific Interest
Mount Erebus has long been of interest to scientists due to its continuous volcanic activity. Overlooking the McMurdo research station on Ross Island, the volcano also features an active lava lake in its summit crater, which has persisted since at least 1972. Most of the monitoring and study of Erebus are conducted through satellites because of the region’s remote location and extreme conditions.
The Tragic 1979 Air New Zealand Crash
Mount Erebus is also remembered for a tragedy in 1979, when an Air New Zealand sightseeing flight crashed into its slopes, killing all 257 people on board. The flight, meant to offer passengers a scenic view of Antarctica, faced poor weather conditions, leading Captain Jim Collins to descend the plane. Unfortunately, a phenomenon known as a "whiteout," caused by the reflection of ice on the volcano, led the pilot to misjudge the distance, resulting in the crash. Photographs from the flight showed clear skies just moments before the impact, ruling out any cloud cover as the cause. The disaster remains one of the deadliest in aviation history.
Mount Erebus was named after the Greek god Erebus, the deity of darkness, by Sir James Clark Ross, a British explorer who discovered the volcano during his Antarctic expedition in 1841. Ross named the volcano after one of his ships, HMS Erebus, which was part of his fleet.
A Fascinating Natural Phenomenon
Besides its volcanic activity, Ross Island, where Mount Erebus is located, is home to a colony of approximately 500,000 Adelie penguins, adding to the area’s scientific intrigue. Mount Erebus, despite its remoteness and harsh environment, continues to captivate scientists and researchers from around the world.
How Erebus Produces Gold
Scientists attribute this rare occurrence to molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's interior, carrying gold particles that crystallize in the sub-zero temperatures of Antarctica. While many volcanoes produce gold in gas or liquid form, Mount Erebus stands out for releasing solid gold dust. According to GeologyHub, the volcano produces about 64 pounds of gold annually, valued at around $2 million. However, mining this gold is too dangerous due to the volcano’s unpredictable eruptions.
A Site of Scientific Interest
Mount Erebus has long been of interest to scientists due to its continuous volcanic activity. Overlooking the McMurdo research station on Ross Island, the volcano also features an active lava lake in its summit crater, which has persisted since at least 1972. Most of the monitoring and study of Erebus are conducted through satellites because of the region’s remote location and extreme conditions.
The Tragic 1979 Air New Zealand Crash
Mount Erebus is also remembered for a tragedy in 1979, when an Air New Zealand sightseeing flight crashed into its slopes, killing all 257 people on board. The flight, meant to offer passengers a scenic view of Antarctica, faced poor weather conditions, leading Captain Jim Collins to descend the plane. Unfortunately, a phenomenon known as a "whiteout," caused by the reflection of ice on the volcano, led the pilot to misjudge the distance, resulting in the crash. Photographs from the flight showed clear skies just moments before the impact, ruling out any cloud cover as the cause. The disaster remains one of the deadliest in aviation history.
Mount Erebus was named after the Greek god Erebus, the deity of darkness, by Sir James Clark Ross, a British explorer who discovered the volcano during his Antarctic expedition in 1841. Ross named the volcano after one of his ships, HMS Erebus, which was part of his fleet.
A Fascinating Natural Phenomenon
Besides its volcanic activity, Ross Island, where Mount Erebus is located, is home to a colony of approximately 500,000 Adelie penguins, adding to the area’s scientific intrigue. Mount Erebus, despite its remoteness and harsh environment, continues to captivate scientists and researchers from around the world.
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