(CNN) – Most of the earth’s gold lies trapped in the planet’s molten core. However, it’s starting to make its way to the surface, according to experts.
A new analysis of volcanic rocks in Hawaii by the United States Geological Survey suggests gold and other precious metals, such as platinum, are escaping up into the mantle.
Researchers saw traces of a rare, silver-gray metal that was likely more abundant in Earth’s early building materials when the core developed about 4.5 billion years ago.
As volcanic islands form, gold and other metals eventually make their way to the surface.
Researchers now say more of the precious metals will probably emerge if Earth’s metallic core continues to leak.
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