Scientists have finally solved a long-standing mystery about the geologic process behind these large pieces of gold found in quartz rock.

Deep beneath the Earth’s crust, a geological mystery has puzzled scientists for decades: how do large, pure gold nuggets form within veins of quartz? A new study led by geologists from Monash ...

Spark of Gold Electric currents in the Earth may be responsible for the formation of gold nuggets, new research suggests. As detailed in a new study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience ...

Instead, the mineral comes out of the fluid in the form of nanoparticles, perhaps even making a gel-like substance on the fracture walls. The quartz nanoparticles then crystallize over time.

These three holes successfully intersected a broad system of gold-bearing quartz veins, forming stockworks and vein clusters within both silicic volcanic and sedimentary host rocks.

Electric discharges underground cause gold atoms to accumulate, which eventually forms gold nuggets, the researchers suggest.