- Messages
- 24,205
- Reaction score
- 4,443
- Points
- 288
Mystery blobs in Earth's mantle may be linked to ancient gold and platinum that arrived from space
Scientists may have finally figured out why Earth's precious metals appear close to the surface, despite being so dense they should have sunk to the core. Turns out, they got stuck in gooey, half-melted rock after giant space rocks — some, perhaps, as large as the moon — smashed into Earth.The abundance of precious metals near the surface has long puzzled researchers. Your platinum engagement ring, your grandmother's antique gold locket, the palladium that makes your car's catalytic converter work: None of them should exist.
More:

Mystery blobs in Earth's mantle may be linked to ancient gold and platinum that arrived from space
The gold and platinum that came from giant space rocks should have sunk into Earth's core instead of rising to the crust. Scientists have now worked out how this happened — and it may explain some really weird blobs deep in our planet's mantle.
