Recent wildfires and rain have caused a 'Gold Rush 2.0' in California's Central Valley where some have located pieces of gold that were unearthed by the natural events.
According to historian Ed Allen of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Park in Coloma, only about 10 to 15 percent of California's gold has been discovered.
Now, nearly 175 years after the first gold rush, groups of eager amateur miners are headed back to 'Gold Country' - an area on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada - in search of the remaining 85 percent.
In an interview with the New York Times, Albert Fausel showed off the gold he located in a creek in Placerville after just 20 minutes of searching.
'Woooo-hoo-hoooo!' the man said of his find - a piece of gold just big enough to pinch between your fingers that is worth around $100.
The hunt is on for anyone looking for nuggets of the pricey metal. In 1850, a nugget of gold went for $20 an ounce. Today, an ounce will fetch you around $1,900.
'We just had a flood here last month and that brought down gold,' Allen said in a February interview with KCRA. 'People are still looking for gold.
He claims he is 'always looking' for gold, even at the age of 75.
The second rush of gold seekers was caused by the rain and the melt that comes after California experienced historic rain and snow, which is now beginning to melt.
The situation is also helped by the wildfires from the past several years, which have helped to loosen the area's soil.
'I've found quite a few nuggets,' said Nick Prebalick, who spoke with KCRA.
...
