At a Glance
- Scientists have discovered the isotope 100Ru in Hawaiian volcanic rocks, providing the first direct evidence that material from Earth’s core can reach the surface through mantle plumes.
- Ruthenium, typically found in the core alongside gold and other metals, appears in these lavas with a composition distinct from mantle sources, indicating a deep origin near the core-mantle boundary.
- This breakthrough challenges the long-held view that Earth’s core and mantle are geochemically isolated, suggesting that the two layers may exchange material more than previously thought.
- Advanced detection techniques allowed researchers to identify minute isotopic differences in ruthenium, revealing hidden pathways by which core-derived metals can circulate through Earth’s mantle.
- The findings offer new insights into planetary dynamics and hold potential economic relevance by tracing how precious metals essential for clean energy technologies might reach accessible surface deposits.
A recent breakthrough by scientists at the University of Göttingen has provided new insights into the mysterious relationship between Earth’s core and surface. The researchers discovered traces of ruthenium (Ru), a precious metal found in Earth’s core, in volcanic rocks from Hawaii. This is the first time scientists have detected a specific isotope of ruthenium, known as 100Ru, in volcanic lavas, suggesting that material from Earth’s core may be making its way into the mantle and, eventually, to the surface.
Ruthenium is a precious metal that resides deep within Earth’s core, along with gold and other valuable elements. The core, located about 3,000 kilometers below the Earth’s surface, is composed mainly of iron and nickel but contains small amounts of ruthenium. The researchers found that the 100Ru isotope in the Hawaiian lavas has a different composition from what is typically found in Earth’s mantle. This suggests that these lavas originated from a region near the boundary between the core and mantle, known as the core-mantle boundary.
The study’s lead scientist, Dr. Nils Messling, described the discovery as “striking gold,” confirming that material from Earth’s core, including valuable metals like gold, leaks into the mantle. Using advanced techniques, the team could detect the tiny variations in the ruthenium isotope, which had previously been undetectable. These findings challenge the previous belief that the core and mantle were largely isolated from each other.
The study offers a new perspective on Earth’s internal dynamics, suggesting that vast amounts of material from the core, including precious metals, may be circulating through the mantle and reaching the surface. This discovery has significant implications, not only for understanding the geological processes that shape our planet but also for supplying valuable materials that are essential for industries such as renewable energy. The findings, published in the journal Nature, open up exciting new possibilities for studying Earth’s inner workings and the role of its core in shaping the planet’s surface.
References
- University of Göttingen. (2025, May 22). Hawaiian volcanic rocks reveal Earth’s core contains vast hidden gold reserves. Phys.Org; University of Göttingen. https://phys.org/news/2025-05-hawaiian-volcanic-reveal-earth-core.html
- Messling, N., Willbold, M., Kallas, L., Elliott, T., Fitton, J. G., Müller, T., & Geist, D. (2025). Ru and W isotope systematics in ocean island basalts reveals core leakage. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09003-0
