Gold from Earth’s Core Found in Hawaiian Volcano

Over 99.999% of Earth’s gold is trapped in its core, slowly reaching the surface through volcanic activity.

Earth’s core harbors a vast reservoir of gold and other precious metals that are slowly leaking upward through the mantle and erupting onto the surface via volcanic activity, according to groundbreaking research published in Nature.

Scientists from the University of Göttingen have uncovered definitive isotopic evidence in Hawaiian volcanic rocks, revealing a dynamic connection between Earth’s innermost layer and its surface. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about the isolation of the planet’s core and offers new insights into its internal dynamics.

Isotopic Evidence in Hawaiian Volcanic Rocks

The research team, led by Dr. Nils Messling from Göttingen University’s Department of Geochemistry, analyzed volcanic rocks from Hawaii and found isotopic signatures that trace back to Earth’s core. “When the first results came in, we realized we had literally struck gold!” Messling said. “Our data confirmed that material from the core—including gold and other precious metals—is leaking into the mantle above.”

Gold leaking from Earth's core—new evidence reveals molten heavy metals rising to the surface.

The key lies in ruthenium (Ru), a precious metal concentrated in the core alongside gold, platinum, and others. Using advanced analytical techniques, the researchers detected a higher abundance of the isotope ruthenium-100 (^100Ru) in Hawaiian basalts compared to the surrounding mantle. These subtle isotopic differences, previously undetectable, serve as a “fingerprint” of core material transported to the surface.

Core Material in Surface Rocks

More than 99.999% of Earth’s gold and precious metals remain locked in its metallic core, buried approximately 3,000 kilometers beneath the surface. Estimates suggest there is enough gold in the core to cover all land surfaces with a layer 50 centimeters thick—an astonishing quantity inaccessible to humanity. These metals were trapped during the planet’s formation 4.5 billion years ago, when heavier elements sank to the center in a process known as the iron catastrophe.

Until now, scientists believed the core was largely isolated, with minimal interaction with the mantle above. However, this study proves that massive volumes of superheated mantle material—hundreds of quadrillion metric tonnes—rise from the core-mantle boundary to form ocean islands like Hawaii, carrying traces of precious metals along the way.

Isotopic Analysis and Methodology

The discovery hinged on cutting-edge methods developed at Göttingen University. By using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the team measured minute variations in ruthenium isotopes, specifically ε^100Ru, which is slightly more abundant in the core. Complementary tungsten isotope ratios further confirmed the presence of core-derived material in Hawaiian lavas.

“These isotopic differences are so tiny that they were impossible to detect until now,” explained Professor Matthias Willbold, co-author and head of Göttingen’s Geochemistry Department. “Our findings not only show that the Earth’s core is not as isolated as previously assumed, but also that vast amounts of mantle material originate at the core-mantle boundary and rise to the surface.”

Mechanism of Material Transport

The transport of core material occurs through mantle plumes, large-scale upwellings of superheated rock originating at the core-mantle boundary. The study estimates that hundreds of quadrillion metric tonnes of mantle material rise to form ocean islands like Hawaii. While prior research identified traces of core-derived helium and iron isotopes, this study provides the first definitive evidence of precious metals, including gold, palladium, and rhodium, following similar pathways.

“Our findings demonstrate that the Earth’s core is not as isolated as previously thought,” said Willbold. “This evidence reshapes our understanding of the planet’s internal dynamics.”

Implications for Planetary Science

This research builds on earlier evidence suggesting that primordial helium and heavy iron isotopes leak from the core. The new ruthenium isotope data provides the first definitive proof that siderophile (iron-loving) elements like gold, platinum, palladium, and rhodium also follow this pathway via mantle plumes—upwellings of hot rock that fuel volcanic activity.

While this core leakage won’t lead to new gold mines—the process occurs over geological timescales and at extreme depths—it reshapes our understanding of Earth’s geochemical cycles. Some precious metals used in technologies, such as renewable energy systems, may trace their origins to the core rather than meteorite impacts, as previously thought.

The findings also have implications for planetary science. If similar processes occur on other terrestrial planets, they could inform models of planetary differentiation and evolution across the solar system. “Whether these processes have been operating throughout Earth’s history remains to be proven,” Messling noted. “Our findings open an entirely new perspective on the inner dynamics of our home planet.”

Advancements in Geochemical Understanding

This study marks a significant advancement in geochemistry, demonstrating that Earth’s core continues to influence surface geology through the gradual transport of precious metals. By bridging the gap between the planet’s deepest layers and its surface, the research highlights the dynamic interplay of Earth’s internal processes, offering a glimpse into the hidden forces shaping our world.

Read also: Where Does Gold Come From

The research has been published in Nature.