Investigation in University of Göttingen showed that the Earth’s core can eject precious metals such as gold into the mantle. The study, based on the analysis of rare ruthenium isotopes found in Hawaiian lava flows, suggests that these minerals come from an inner boundary more than 2,900 kilometers deep.
This discovery challenges the established idea of an isolated center and suggests a geological interaction that promotes the rise of these elements to the surface through eruptions. Experts say that this phenomenon opens up new perspectives on hidden dynamics. Earlier ideas about distribution on Earth are also being questioned.
The trail that led to the assessment
Although it is believed that most of these materials remain within thousands of kilometers under layers of rock, a review of volcanic rocks in the Hawaii made it possible to determine traces of ruthenium. The metal belonging to the platinum group could reach the layer only from the core-mantle boundary.
“When we got the first results, we knew we had struck gold,” he said. Nils Meslingprincipal investigator of the work.
The discovery was published May 21 in the journal Nature and expands our understanding of how elements can migrate from the base to the crust. This finding could change our view of internal evolution.
Divisions of the globe
The planet consists of three main layers: a thin outer crust covers the world, while the mantle, located below it, is an intermediate layer of less solid rocks that make up most of the Earth’s mass. It is divided into two parts: the outer side, which consists of the ocean of molten metals about 2300 km thickand the inner one is a solid iron sphere with a diameter of approximately 2440 km.
Previous studies have shown that the composition of ruthenium (Ru) in Thierry It underwent changes as the material of the celestial body formed and accumulated. As a result, the current Ru is slightly different from what is generally accepted, shedding new light on the geological processes that occurred during creation.
