The study titled “Gold nugget formation from earthquake-induced piezoelectricity in quartz” published in the journal Nature Geoscience revealed that earthquakes can play a key role in the formation of gold nuggets by triggering the electrical properties of quartz crystals in the earth’s crust.
The research, led by scientists from Monash University, proposes a mechanism that helps us understand how large deposits of this precious metal arise that cannot be fully explained by traditional models.
Quartz, Pressure and Electricity
During seismic activity, pressure applied on this silicate (quartz) produces voltage through piezoelectricity. Piezoelectricity is a physical phenomenon that produces an electrical charge when certain minerals are deformed. This process triggers electrochemical reactions that can transform gold dissolved in geological fluids into solid particles, which begin to adhere to the surface of the geological component.
Experiments Confirm Metal Precipitation and Growth
To test this hypothesis, the team conducted laboratory experiments in which they deformed quartz crystals immersed in solutions containing precious metals. The results confirmed that the electricity generated was sufficient to cause precipitation of the element and promote the assembly of nanoparticles that served as initial growth nuclei.
Scientists also observed that, thanks to gold’s conductivity, existing gold particles facilitate the gradual deposition of new layers. This allows small deposits to turn into larger gold nuggets over time.
During an earthquake, quartz crystals act like a battery and produce electricity.
Since the small pieces of gold that have already formed are conductive, they attract electricity like a lightning rod during a storm, allowing more gold to accumulate there.
Scientists have long wondered how gold can form huge nuggets even though it is found in very low concentrations in hydrothermal fluids; This study gives the answer “electrical accumulation”.
