First, let's consider how much gold is readily available to us. The most recent estimate is ~210,000 tonnes extracted and ~50,000 tonnes discovered and still in the ground - There's not much of it around! All the gold that has been mined would fit into 4 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 🏊‍♀️ Next, let's consider how is GOLD made. 🤔 ☀ Nucleosynthesis in Stars: - Stars are giant nuclear reactors where hydrogen is converted into helium through nuclear fusion. As the star evolves, heavier elements are formed through subsequent fusion reactions. - During the later stages of a massive star's life, when it undergoes a supernova explosion, intense heat and pressure cause rapid nucleosynthesis, leading to the creation of gold and other heavy elements. 🌟 Supernova Explosion: - The explosion of a massive star, known as a supernova, is a cataclysmic event that releases an enormous amount of energy. - The extreme conditions during a supernova, such as high temperatures and intense pressure, enable the fusion of lighter elements into heavier ones, including gold. ⚛ R-process (Rapid Neutron Capture): - Gold, being a relatively heavy element, requires specific conditions for its formation. The rapid neutron capture process (r-process) during a supernova is crucial for creating elements heavier than iron. - In the r-process, neutrons are rapidly captured by existing nuclei, leading to the formation of gold and other heavy elements. 💣 Distribution in Space: - After a supernova explosion, the newly formed elements, including gold, are ejected into space. These elements become part of the interstellar medium, the material that fills the space between stars. 🌌 Formation of Planetary Systems: - As new stars and planetary systems form from the remnants of earlier stars, the material in the interstellar medium, enriched with heavy elements like gold, becomes incorporated into these new systems. 🌎 Earth's Formation: - The Earth and other planets in our solar system formed from a rotating disk of gas and dust around the young Sun. This material contained traces of heavy elements, including gold, inherited from previous generations of stars. 🌋 Magmatic Processes: - Volcanic and magmatic processes bring materials from the mantle to the Earth's surface. - In certain geological conditions, gold-containing fluids can migrate through the Earth's crust and form gold deposits near the surface. So, if you have a smart phone or any gold jewelry, you've got a piece of an ancient dead star! ⭐ It took BILLIONS of years for the universe to make the gold, perhaps its TRUE VALUE is much higher than what we perceive it to be. After all economically viable sources of gold have been mined, how can more of it be produced? #GoldMining | #MiningMatters | #StoreofValue | #PreciousMetals