The world’s tallest volcano, Antartica’s Mount Erebus, has puzzled scientists by emitting a daily flow of crystallized gold, worth an estimated £5,000 each day. Despite producing expected emissions such as plumes of steam, gas, and rock bombs, the volcano’s peculiar gold specks have left experts scratching their heads. These gold specks have been found as far as 621 miles from the volcano, suggesting that they may travel through the air.
Standing at 12,448 feet tall, Mount Erebus is located above a thin slice of crust. It is believed to be the southermost active volcano in the world and overlooks the McMurdo research station on Ross Island. It also occasionally spits out rock in strombolian eruptions and has a lava lake in its summit crater that has been active since at least 1972.
Despite its remote location, the volcano’s activity is primarily monitored by satellites. It is considered to be Antarctica’s most famous volcano, though not the most prominent.
