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RNZ News
8 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
A reservoir of gold lies hidden in Earth's core. Scientists say it's leaking
By Jacopo Prisco , CNN Gold and other precious metals deep beneath the Earth eventually make their way up to the surface during the formation of volcanic islands, a study suggests. Photo: 123rf Gold and other precious metals are leaking from Earth's core into the layers above, eventually making their way up to the surface during the formation of volcanic islands like Hawaii, a new study suggests. The theory results from a three-year analysis of Hawaii's basaltic rocks, which originally formed from plumes of magma, or molten rock, rising from the ocean floor. Clues in the form of heavy metals found in the volcanic rocks could confirm a suspicion long held by geologists - that Earth's molten core is not isolated but likely bleeds into the rocky mantle, the layer between the planet's thin crust and the core. "About 40 years ago, people first came up with the theory that maybe the core is losing some material into the mantle, but the signals we got so far were really ambiguous," said Nils Messling, a geochemist at the University of Göttingen in Germany and lead author of the report, published 21 May in the journal Nature . "Now, in my opinion, we have the first very strong evidence that some of the core is actually ending up in the mantle." Scientists already knew that most of the gold on the planet - more than 99.95 percent, according to Messling - lies hidden in the molten core, along with other heavy elements such as platinum. Basalt sampled from a drill core section from the Kilauea Iki lava lake, which erupted in 1959, is shown. The Hawaiian lava rock contains a small trace of Earth's core, the analysis found. Photo: Supplied / CNN / Nils Messling As meteorites bombarded one another in Earth's early history, a reservoir of these precious metals developed when the core formed about 4.5 billion years ago. But this study suggests that at least a tiny amount of that gold has escaped to the surface, raising the fascinating prospect that, if the leaking continues, more and more of this precious metal could travel from the centre of Earth to the crust in the future. "Our findings not only show that the Earth's core is not as isolated as previously assumed. We can now also prove that huge volumes of super-heated mantle material - several hundreds of quadrillion metric tonnes of rock - originate at the core-mantle boundary and rise to the Earth's surface to form ocean islands like Hawaii," said study coauthor Matthias Willbold, a professor at the University of Göttingen, in a statement. To find evidence of this core-mantle interaction, Messling and his coauthors obtained some samples of Hawaiian volcanic rocks from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The research team extracts precious metals from samples of Hawaii's volcanic rock. Photo: Supplied / CNN / Nils Messling "Some were taken by a submarine, from a deep sea volcano, but [otherwise] it's basically just very ordinary-looking basaltic rock, very unassuming, that you would find anywhere on Hawaii," he said. "We started with half a kilogram of rock, we crushed it into a powder, and then we melted it in the oven with some different chemicals, to end up with a sample in liquid form." From that sample, the team extracted all the elements in the platinum group , which includes platinum itself as well as the lesser-known rhodium, palladium, iridium, osmium and ruthenium. The scientists then focused on ruthenium, a silver-grey metal about as rare in Earth's crust as gold. "The mantle has almost no ruthenium in it," Messling said. "It's one of the rarest elements on Earth. But Earth is basically made of meteorites that crashed together, and meteorites [contain] ruthenium, which went into the core when the core formed. So the mantle has next to no ruthenium, and the core has all of the ruthenium. The same with gold and platinum." Earth's core has two layers. A hot, solid metal sphere of iron and nickel is roughly 70 percent the size of the moon, with a radius of about 1221km. A liquid metal outer core is about 2253km thick and extends to about 2897km below the surface, or right up to the mantle. Photo: 123rf In contrast, the mantle, which lies between the planet's outer crust and the molten core, is 2897km of mostly solid rock. To determine whether the extracted ruthenium was originally from the core and not the mantle, the team looked at a specific isotope, or type, of ruthenium that was likely more abundant in Earth's early building materials during the time the core formed billions of years ago. "The vast majority of gold and other precious metals like platinum were likely delivered by massive meteorite impacts during the final stages of Earth's formation - a process known as late accretion," said Pedro Waterton, an assistant professor of geochemistry at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark who was not involved in the study. The presence of the ruthenium isotope in the basalt samples indicates that at least some of the rock was formed from material coming from the molten metallic core. That's because there is consensus, Messling said, that the material that coalesced during the early stages of Earth's formation does not exist in the meteorite record anymore. He added that the isotope signature in rocks from hotspot volcanoes like the ones in Hawaii is entirely different from any other known rock or meteorite. In other words, the ruthenium isotope Messling found was locked away in the core billions of years ago, so detecting the isotope in volcanic rocks today suggests it comes from the core. "It's quite a novel and difficult method," Messling said. "We managed to measure ruthenium in rocks that have next to no ruthenium in them. In half a kilo of rock, it was less than milligrams - a needle in a planet-sized haystack! That's quite exciting - for a geochemist, at least. It was a long but very exciting process." So what's the connection with gold? It's chemically similar to ruthenium, Messling said, so if the core is leaking ruthenium, it is also leaking gold in similar quantities. This would be a "minuscule" amount, however. And even if scientists wanted to extract gold directly from the source, the core-mantle boundary, that's much farther down than current technology could drill. In fact, it's about 236 times deeper than the deepest bore ever drilled - the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia, which reaches a depth of 12.3km. The ruthenium isotope signature in rocks from hotspot volcanoes like the ones in Hawaii is entirely different from any other rock or meteorite on record, according to lead study author Nils Messling. geochemist at the University of Göttingen. Photo: Supplied / CNN / Nils Messling Proof that the core isn't isolated is particularly thrilling because the core and the mantle shouldn't interact at all, Messling said. "Their density is too different, like oil and water, so technically they shouldn't mix. And we still don't have a good mechanism to explain why they do. We don't really know much about the core at all," he said. The Hawaiian rock samples suggest that the leaking process takes between 500 million and 1 billion years to complete, Messling said. "It's something that has occurred a while ago, and we suspect that it probably has been going on forever, and it's probably still occurring now," he explained. According to Messling, if the leaking of precious metals is an ongoing process, it could be that at least some of the gold humans have mined may have come from the core even if the quantity of core material in a single rock is negligible and that the world's supply of gold seems to be replenishing. "It's a very interesting idea that, although this process is tiny and has zero effect if you look at just one island, if you scale it up to 4.5 billion years it could be that it changes the composition of the Earth," he said. Researchers who were not involved in the study expressed positive views on the findings. "We know that the Earth was built from different generations of meteoritic material that were added progressively to the growing planet, and that precious metals from the earliest generations of meteorite material became concentrated into our planet's core while metals from meteorites added in the final stages of the Earth's growth became stranded in our planet's mantle," said Helen Williams, a professor of geochemistry and planetary science at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. The study, she added, confirms that the mantle plumes - rising jets of molten rock coming from the core-mantle boundary that create hot spots like Hawaii - do indeed contain material somehow derived from Earth's metallic core, said Williams, adding that the result was "exciting." Jesse Reimink, an associate professor of geosciences at Pennsylvania State University, agrees. "This is a very old debate, and new data over the past 10 or so years has reinvigorated the possibility that the core was chemically 'leaking' into the mantle over time," he said. "This study really does seem to nail the conclusion - the core does contribute some material to the mantle." The latest research also strengthens the case made in previous work that some mantle plumes incorporate material from Earth's core, said the University of Copenhagen's Waterton. Does that also mean some of the gold in Earth's crust is originally from the core? "Yes, but probably only a very small amount," he said. - CNN
Gizmodo
2 days ago
- Science
- Gizmodo
Haunting Deep-Sea Footage Reveals U.S. Submarine Lost During WWI
On December 17, 1917, the U.S. Navy submarine USS F-1, crashed off the coast of San Diego. Now, more than a century later, researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) have collected the first high-definition visuals of the wreckage. During a series of seven dives conducted earlier this year, researchers employed the crewed underwater vehicle Alvin and autonomous underwater vehicle Sentry, both based on the WHOI research ship Atlantis, to snap close-ups of the sunken submarine. Since 1917, F-1 has been resting approximately 1,300 feet (400 meters) underwater. A Navy underwater vehicle located it by accident in the 1970s, but this expedition is the first to capture detailed images of the lost sub. The F-1 was built in 1901 and launched in 1911. The crash occurred during a training mission, during which the F-1 collided with another submarine, sinking in mere seconds. Nineteen crew members lost their lives, but five escaped and survived. By the time of the 1917 crash, the U.S. had been at war with the Central powers for seven months. 'Advanced ocean technology and simple teamwork played a big part in delivering these new images,' Bruce Strickrott, manager of the Alvin Group at WHOI and the sub's senior pilot who helped lead the expedition, said in a statement. 'Once we identified the wreck and determined it was safe to dive, we were able to capture never-before-seen perspectives of the sub.' The team used multi-beam sonar systems on Atlantis and Sentry to produce maps of the F-1 and surrounding areas. Then, high-resolution cameras on Alvin picked up photos and videos of the wreck. The researchers stitched these images together to create detailed 3D photogrammetric models. The images showed that the F-1 is lying on the seafloor on its starboard (right) side, facing northwest, and is 'remarkably intact,' Strickrott told Live Science. The researchers left the war grave site untouched, however, 'to preserve its condition and be respectful of its legacy,' Bradley Krueger, an underwater archaeologist for the Naval History and Heritage Command who participated in some of the dives, told Live Science. During the series of dives, the researchers also surveyed a Navy torpedo bomber training aircraft that crashed nearby in 1950. The dives were part of a training and engineering mission to provide the Alvin pilots with experience controlling the submersible and employing deep-sea imaging technologies. The research was conducted as a collaboration between the U.S. National Science Foundation, University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System and the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research and Naval History and Heritage Command. After the dives, the researchers held a remembrance ceremony aboard the Atlantis, ringing a bell 19 times, once for each of the F-1's crew members who died in the crash. 'As a U.S. Navy veteran, it was a profound honor to visit the wreck of the F-1 with our ONR and NHHC colleagues aboard Alvin,' Strickrott said in a statement.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Larger-than-life sculptures made from plastic pollution on display at Calgary Zoo
'Washed Ashore' is an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has unveiled a new art exhibit that brings the issue of ocean pollution to life. Called Washed Ashore, the exhibit features 15 large-scale sculptures made entirely from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. 'At first glance, visitors may be drawn in by the vibrant colours and whimsical forms — giant jellyfish, curious penguins, and even a towering polar bear,' said Dr. Kyle Burks, president and CEO of the Calgary Zoo. 'But a closer look reveals a deeper story.' Burks says every sculpture is constructed from discarded items like bottle caps, flip-flops, plastic toys and toothbrushes. 'These once-forgotten objects now speak volumes about the growing crisis of marine pollution, and the small choices we can all make to turn the tide. 'It's eye-opening, it's beautiful and it's a powerful reminder that individual actions can add up to real change.' Washed Ashore at the Calgary Zoo 'Washed Ashore' is an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) The elaborate sculptures are located all throughout the zoo's outdoor spaces. They are part of a non-profit project from the Artula Institute for Arts and Education based in Brandon, Ore. Washed Ashore at the Calgary Zoo 'Washed Ashore' is an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) Every year, the group works to clean more than 480 kilometres of Pacific Northwest beaches. In 15 years, the Washed Ashore project has repurposed more than 60,000 pounds of marine debris into more than 85 sculptures. Washed Ashore at the Calgary Zoo 'Washed Ashore' is an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) 'We are thrilled to return to Canada for our first appearance at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo,' said Brad Parks from Washed Ashore. 'As we celebrate our 15th anniversary this summer at the zoo, we invite everyone to marvel at our art to save the sea and discover one thing to reduce single-use plastic use in their lives.' Washed Ashore at the Calgary Zoo 'Washed Ashore' is an art exhibit featuring sculptures made from debris collected from the shores of the Pacific Ocean. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) The Washed Ashore exhibit will be on display all summer long before wrapping up on Sept. 14. For more information, you can visit the Calgary Zoo's website.
Hospitality Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Iconic Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki Becomes Hawaii's First Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the island of O'ahu, has officially joined Hilton as the first Tapestry Collection property in Hawai'i. Situated at the gateway to Waikiki, this beloved hotel blends a legacy of local charm with Hilton's globally renowned hospitality and expansive benefits. The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki is operated by Highgate, who continues to bring its expertise as a premier real estate and hospitality management company to the islands of Hawai'i. The collaboration marks a new chapter that honors the hotel's deep roots in the community while introducing guests to the distinctive, story-driven spirit of the Tapestry Collection. With magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head and the island's lush mountain ranges, The Ambassador—formerly Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador—feels like staying with a friend who knows all the best local spots. Its legacy of warm hospitality and thoughtful design is now elevated through the power of Hilton Honors' award-winning loyalty program. With its debut in Hawai'i, Tapestry Collection by Hilton introduces its signature, community-focused approach to one of the world's most iconic and culturally rich destinations. Rooted in a culture of warm, intuitive service, The Ambassador's "This Is How We Waikiki" approach reflects a local philosophy—welcoming every guest like a friend, sharing insider knowledge, and creating moments that feel both effortless and memorable. This guest-first philosophy extends beyond service—it's reflected in every detail of the hotel's design, atmosphere and sense of place. The Ambassador's newly-renovated, mid-century design celebrates the modern spirit of Waikiki with subtle nods to the property's founding origins dating back to the 1960s. The 368-room hotel offers a range of accommodations—from spacious two-bedroom suites to Waikiki's only lofted bunk-bed rooms—designed with families and groups in mind. Interiors feature a tropical-inspired palette reflecting Oʻahu's natural beauty, with thoughtful touches that immerse guests in the colors, textures and relaxed rhythm of island life. Expansive lanais, cozy lounge areas and private retreats elevate the experience, while a custom lava rock wall in the lobby pays tribute to Hawaii's volcanic landscape. The exterior preserves the hotel's iconic heritage, blending past and present seamlessly. The Ambassador offers a variety of onsite programming and elevated amenities included in each stay. Waikiki Swim & Social Club, the hotel's retro-inspired, expansive pool and cabana deck, offers an all-day menu of tropical beverages, locally inspired bites and breezy vibes reflective of the island's energy. Guests enjoy palm-fringed views, private cabanas and a refreshing dip in the sun-soaked pool. Start the day with a workout at the fully equipped fitness center or take part in weekly poolside pilates classes. Beach Candy Waikiki offers guests easy-access and essential beach rentals and bike cruisers, while the hotel's community stewardship initiatives help improve the local area, such as the King Kalakaua Park clean-up in partnership with the City of Honolulu. Favorite Son, the hotel's laid-back indoor-outdoor dining destination, serves up hearty comfort food with island flair, including gourmet sandwiches, deep-dish-style square pizzas and fresh salads. Designed for both locals and travelers on the go, it's a place to refuel, relax and savor the flavors of Waikiki with zero pretense and plenty of personality. Guests unplug early with a daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring craft cocktails, light bites and live local entertainment. This playful yet purposeful programming underscores the hotel's mission to be a launchpad for discovering the local lifestyle. The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will be part of Hilton Honors, the company's award-winning guest loyalty program. Hilton Honors members can earn points through stays. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app. To learn more and book your stay, visit The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton's website and follow @ambassadorwaikiki. Hotel website
Travel Daily News
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki becomes Hawaii's first Tapestry Collection by Hilton
The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki joins Hilton's Tapestry Collection, blending local charm, modern design, and personalized hospitality in Hawaii. WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII – The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton on the island of O'ahu, has officially joined Hilton as the first Tapestry Collection property in Hawai'i. Situated at the gateway to Waikiki, this beloved hotel blends a legacy of local charm with Hilton's globally renowned hospitality and expansive benefits. The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki is operated by Highgate, who continues to bring its expertise as a premier real estate and hospitality management company to the islands of Hawai'i. The collaboration marks a new chapter that honors the hotel's deep roots in the community while introducing guests to the distinctive, story-driven spirit of the Tapestry Collection. With magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean, Diamond Head and the island's lush mountain ranges, The Ambassador – formerly Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador – feels like staying with a friend who knows all the best local spots. Its legacy of warm hospitality and thoughtful design is now elevated through the power of Hilton Honors' award-winning loyalty program. With its debut in Hawai'i, Tapestry Collection by Hilton introduces its signature, community-focused approach to one of the world's most iconic and culturally rich destinations. 'We're thrilled to be the first property in Hawaii to join Tapestry Collection by Hilton, a brand that reflects our dedication to personalized hospitality rooted in a strong sense of place,' said Brandon Kaya, General Manager, The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki. 'Our team is passionate about creating meaningful connections to local culture. It's not just about where you stay – it's about how you experience Waikiki, and we're proud to share the spirit of the island with our guests.' Rooted in a culture of warm, intuitive service, The Ambassador's 'This Is How We Waikiki' approach reflects a local philosophy – welcoming every guest like a friend, sharing insider knowledge, and creating moments that feel both effortless and memorable. This guest-first philosophy extends beyond service – it's reflected in every detail of the hotel's design, atmosphere and sense of place. The Ambassador's newly renovated, mid-century design celebrates the modern spirit of Waikiki with subtle nods to the property's founding origins dating back to the 1960s. The 368-room hotel offers a range of accommodations – from spacious two-bedroom suites to Waikiki's only lofted bunk-bed rooms – designed with families and groups in mind. Interiors feature a tropical-inspired palette reflecting Oʻahu's natural beauty, with thoughtful touches that immerse guests in the colors, textures and relaxed rhythm of island life. Expansive lanais, cozy lounge areas and private retreats elevate the experience, while a custom lava rock wall in the lobby pays tribute to Hawaii's volcanic landscape. The exterior preserves the hotel's iconic heritage, blending past and present seamlessly. The Ambassador offers a variety of onsite programming and elevated amenities included in each stay. Waikiki Swim & Social Club, the hotel's retro-inspired, expansive pool and cabana deck, offers an all-day menu of tropical beverages, locally inspired bites and breezy vibes reflective of the island's energy. Guests enjoy palm-fringed views, private cabanas and a refreshing dip in the sun-soaked pool. Start the day with a workout at the fully equipped fitness center or take part in weekly poolside Pilates classes. Beach Candy Waikiki offers guests easy-access and essential beach rentals and bike cruisers, while the hotel's community stewardship initiatives help improve the local area, such as the King Kalakaua Park clean-up in partnership with the City of Honolulu. Favorite Son, the hotel's laid-back indoor-outdoor dining destination, serves up hearty comfort food with island flair, including gourmet sandwiches, deep-dish-style square pizzas and fresh salads. Designed for both locals and travelers on the go, it's a place to refuel, relax and savor the flavors of Waikiki with zero pretense and plenty of personality. Guests unplug early with a daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring craft cocktails, light bites and live local entertainment. This playful yet purposeful programming underscores the hotel's mission to be a launchpad for discovering the local lifestyle. The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki, Tapestry Collection by Hilton will be part of Hilton Honors, the company's award-winning guest loyalty program. Hilton Honors members can earn points through stays. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app. The Ambassador stands as one of the island's most historic properties, seamlessly blending Hawaii's iconic charm with modern comforts for an unforgettable stay. Now part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, guests are invited to experience this iconic destination with renewed aloha and exclusive opening offers.
