In the icy expanse of Antarctica, a volcano is emitting gold dust and various gases on a daily basis. This makes Erebus, the 3,794 m high volcano, the tallest active volcano in the region. American geologists made this discovery in 1991, and recent research has confirmed these findings.
The gold particles can be found in both the gas emitted from the volcano as well as in the surrounding snow. Scientists believe that the gold may have originated from volcanic rock, carried into the air by hot gas released during eruptions. Erebus is one of 138 active volcanoes in Antarctica, located on Ross Island. It stands out as one of only two active volcanoes in the area, constantly spewing out yellow dust.
Erebus has been erupting continuously since 1972, with a lava lake in a crater on its summit. Lava lakes are rare due to the unique conditions required to prevent the surface from freezing. Despite its remote location in Antarctica, scientists are able to monitor Erebus’s activity using limited permanent monitoring devices such as seismometers. However, transporting equipment for more extensive surveys poses challenges due to its extreme environment.
