15
Health & Science2h 12m ago

Roughly 99.999 percent of Earth's gold and platinum sank into the core during the magma ocean phase 4.5 billion years ago, with later asteroid impacts delivering the gold mined today.

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Earth

Who
humans
What
Roughly 99.999 percent of Earth's gold and platinum sank into the core during the magma ocean phase 4.5 billion years ago, with later asteroid impacts delivering the gold mined today.
When
Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:50:11 GMT · 2h 12m ago
Where
Earth ·
Why
The young planet melted, causing heavy metals to sink into the core.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

The majority of Earth's gold and platinum are inaccessible in the planet's core. Gold deposits available for mining were delivered by asteroid impacts after the core had formed.

Story chain

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  1. Currently Reading2h 12m ago
    Roughly 99.999 percent of Earth's gold and platinum sank into the core during the magma ocean phase 4.5 billion years ago, with later asteroid impacts delivering the gold mined today.
  2. Health & Science2h 12m ago
    Roughly 99.999 percent of Earth's gold and platinum sank into the core during the magma ocean phase 4.5 billion years ago, with gold mined today delivered later by asteroids.
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