How is Gold formed?
Gold is created through natural processes that occur in stars and through geological processes on Earth. Gold is… stardust! How neat is that? Let’s get into it…
Stellar Nucleosynthesis:
Gold is primarily formed in supernovae (exploding stars, big boom) and neutron star collisions. These cosmic events provide the necessary energy and conditions for nuclear fusion, where lighter elements fuse to create heavier elements like gold. This process involves:
*Supernova Explosions*: When a star much more massive than our Sun exhausts its nuclear fuel, it can explode as a supernova, releasing energy and creating heavy elements, including gold, which are then scattered into space.
*Neutron Star Mergers*: When two neutron stars collide, they release huge amounts of energy and neutrons, leading to the formation of heavy elements like gold.
The gold produced in these *stellar* processes is distributed throughout the universe. Some of this gold became part of the dust and gas that eventually formed our solar system. Once Earth was formed, gold was incorporated into its structure.
*Hydrothermal Activity*: Gold is often found in quartz veins formed from hot, mineral-rich water moving through rocks. This water can deposit gold as it cools and reacts with surrounding rock.
*Placer Deposits*: Erosion can break down rocks containing gold, and the heavy gold particles can be transported by rivers and streams. Over time, these particles settle out of the water and accumulate in placer deposits, which are often found in riverbeds and floodplains.
*Volcanic Activity*: Magma can carry gold from deep within the Earth to the surface, where it can form deposits as the magma cools and crystallizes.
The gold on Earth is ancient, with its origins tracing back to the very beginnings of the solar system, around 4.6 billion years ago. Gold atoms themselves have been part of Earth's composition since its formation. Meaning… if you’re wearing Gold jewelry, you’re wearing literal *stardust*.