Gold is one of the rarest and most fascinating elements on our planet. It formed in space during violent collisions between neutron stars and eventually made its way to Earth. Over thousands of years ...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Gold is a heavy metal and one of Earth's rarer elements, formed in space when neutron stars ...

Gold raises questions about its distribution on our planet. Estimates vary, but one thing is certain: gold is far more abundant in Earth's core than in the crust. According to data compiled by ...

Gold mixes with seawater from rivers, aeolian dust, and hydrothermal vents. It also binds to particles and settles on the ...

This is especially the case with gold because it is a siderophile, or iron-loving, element that likes to associate with the iron that makes up most of the Earth's mass. It must be a happy association ...

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Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture. Laura holds a Master's in Experimental Neuroscience and a ...

Editor’s note: A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. For a long time, there has been a missing puzzle piece in ...