Manganiferous gossans are the blackened crusts of weathered ore bodies, where manganese oxides mix with iron rust, precious metals, and base metals. These striking gossans don't just stain the surface—they lock in chemical clues that reveal the hidden mineral systems buried beneath.
Hydrothermal breccia-hosted gossans form when sulphide-rich rocks fracture, weather, and oxidise near the surface, leaving behind colourful, iron-stained zones enriched with secondary minerals. These vibrant crusts are more than just geological curiosities—they’re rich records of past fluid flow, redox changes, and mineral transformation.
Gossans form when metal-rich sulfide ores near Earth’s surface weather and oxidize, leaving behind vivid caps of iron and secondary minerals. In carbonate rocks, this process produces colorful mixtures of iron oxides, lead and zinc carbonates, and copper stains—offering geologists a surface-level glimpse into the chemistry of buried ore.
Gossans are the weathered remains of sulfide-rich ore bodies—natural “iron hats” that form when oxygen and water transform underground metal ores into iron-stained, mineral-rich surface rocks. These rusty outcrops not only reveal Earth’s geochemical story but often lead to valuable discoveries hidden just below.
When an asteroid slams into Earth, it does more than create a crater—it reshapes the crust. These cosmic impacts unleash shockwaves, heat, and hydrothermal systems that can concentrate valuable minerals like nickel, copper, platinum, and even diamonds. In craters like Sudbury and Vredefort, ancient destruction has left behind enduring economic treasure.
Supervolcanoes don’t just reshape landscapes—they forge mineral wealth. From lithium-rich clays in ancient caldera lakes to rare earths, gold, and pumice along fractured ring faults, supervolcanic systems concentrate critical elements in the Earth’s crust through powerful geothermal and magmatic processes.
Only three supervolcanoes on Earth have unleashed VEI-8 eruptions and remain geologically active today: Yellowstone, Toba, and Taupō. Though currently quiet, they show subtle signs of life—uplift, heat, and seismic murmurs—reminding us that Earth’s most powerful volcanic systems never truly sleep.
Antimony-rich gold ores are the ultimate challenge for gold recovery. Unlike other refractory ores, stibnite doesn’t just trap gold—it actively sabotages extraction, forming chemical barriers that block leaching and foul up solutions. Learn why these ores are gold’s toughest companions and what makes them so uniquely difficult to crack.
Gold deposits come in more flavors than you might expect—veins in ancient mountains, invisible gold in desert sediments, or nuggets weathered into riverbeds. From orogenic systems to Carlin trends and IOCG giants, this deep dive explores the full spectrum of Earth's golden fingerprints and the geologic forces that shaped them.
Gold-in-quartz veins are more than just beautiful specimens—they're the end result of deep-earth alchemy. Learn how molten fluids, fractured rocks, and shifting pressures combine to deposit precious metal in milky white quartz. From mountain roots to shallow hot springs, discover the science behind one of nature’s most captivating mineral pairings.
What if rare earth elements were hiding in plain sight—in old iron ore volcanoes? Scientists recreated a mini-volcano in the lab and discovered how magmas naturally split and stash rare metals in iron-rich melts. The process could help unlock new sources of critical elements for the green energy revolution.
What if a volcano could whisper before it erupted—and we could hear it? New research from Iceland shows how tiny shifts in seismic waves, caused by underground cracks, can reveal when a volcano is preparing to blow. From quiet unrest at Askja to Bárðarbunga's explosive show, learn how listening to the Earth might help forecast the next eruption.
