How much gold is there on the planet?
Why did all ancient civilizations coincidentally recognize gold?
Among all the metals on earth, the most loved by human beings is undoubtedly gold human beings have loved gold for a long time, and from the current archaeological data, all the known ancient civilizations on earth regarded gold as a precious thing.
Why all ancient civilizations are unanimously recognized gold? There are two main reasons for this: one is that gold has unique chemical and physical properties, and the other is that there is very little gold to be found on earth.
The chemical properties of gold are so stable that in the natural environment of the earth, gold is almost always present in a monolithic state, which allows any ancient civilization to obtain gold directly in nature, and because gold has great resistance to corrosion and oxidation, people soon notice that this metal is well worth having because it will not rust, deteriorate or be eaten by worms.
Physically, gold in its natural state has a very beautiful and recognizable golden color, and it is easy to associate its metallic luster with the sun, which was worshipped by the ancient civilizations of the earth as a sacred object that was consciously collected and stored.
On the other hand, the texture of gold is relatively soft and has excellent ductility and malleability, in addition, the melting point of gold is also relatively low (about 1064.43 ℃), even ancient civilizations can melt it, and in the case of being melted, the chemical properties of gold are still very stable, when it cools down and solidifies, it is still shining gold.
These characteristics make the ancient civilizations can carry out various processing of gold, and will be widely used for rituals, decorations, money, etc. On this basis, coupled with the scarcity of gold, there is "all ancient civilizations coincidentally recognized gold" this situation is also natural.
Even modern humans can only mine some relatively concentrated gold on the surface of the earth, so from the overall perspective, how much gold is there on the earth? This can be estimated.
According to the mainstream view of the scientific community, the solar system was formed by the gravitational collapse of a primitive nebula, in the process, the sun was first formed in the center of the nebula, and the residual material of this nebula formed various celestial bodies in the solar system, including the earth, that is, the gold on the earth is actually from this primitive nebula.
If we go back to the source, there are two sources of gold, one is the supernova explosion of a massive star after its internal "nuclear fuel" is exhausted, and the other is the neutron star collision.
Compared to the Earth, the masses of the objects that produce gold are so large that each supernova explosion or neutron star collision produces gold with a mass much larger than the Earth's, which is thrown across the vast expanse of space and spreads over time, some of which enters the primordial nebula that formed the solar system.
During the same period when the Earth was formed, a large number of small objects were formed in the solar system, and a large part of them are still "wandering around" in the solar system, while the Earth is in the process of revolving around the Sun, from time to time there will be some "same age" as the Earth During the Earth's orbit around the Sun, from time to time, small objects of the same age as the Earth are captured by the Earth, and the debris that falls to the Earth's surface is called meteorites.
Theoretically, the gold content of these meteorites should be the same as that of the original Earth, after all, they all formed in the same nebula, so we only need to collect a large sample of such meteorites and measure them to deduce the gold content of the original Earth.
Scientists did, and by analyzing a large number of samples, they gave the result that the gold content of the original Earth was about 0.32 parts per million, and since the mass of the Earth is known to be about 60 trillion billion tons, a simple calculation shows that there are about 1920 trillion tons of gold on the Earth.
Needless to say, this is an astonishing figure, but the problem is that we simply do not find so much gold on the earth, why is that? The reason is that the vast majority of this gold is in the core of the Earth.
If we keep hitting a nail with a hammer, it won't take long for the temperature of the nail to rise significantly, and from a physical point of view, this is a process of converting kinetic energy into heat energy.
In the same way, the formation of the Earth is a large number of material collision and accretion processes, in this process, a large number of kinetic energy will be converted into heat energy, which makes the temperature of the original Earth rise sharply when the temperature reaches a certain level, the entire original Earth will be in a high-temperature molten state.
In this case, the material of the primordial Earth will appear a phenomenon called "gravitational differentiation", specifically the heavier material will "sink", while the lighter material will "float". "Gold of course belongs to the "heavier material", so a large number of gold will "sink" to the core of the Earth.
According to the scientists' estimation, the gold in the crust is very little, only about 0.0044% of the earth's gold reserves, the gold in the mantle is not much, only about 0.185% of the earth's gold reserves, and the rest of the gold, are all in the earth's core.
It is worth mentioning that there is also a certain amount of gold in the earth's oceans, and measurement data shows that each cubic kilometer of seawater contains 10 to 30 grams of gold, although this can be said to be minimal compared to the earth's huge gold reserves.
Although there is so much gold on the earth, the vast majority of this gold is either hidden deep in the earth or is too dispersed, so the amount of gold that humans can access is very little, and as was the case with the ancient civilizations on earth, modern humans are no better.
Statistics show that before the 19th century, the most gold mined by humans was only 10,000 tons, and by the end of 2021, humans have mined only 200,000 tons of gold, it is foreseeable that in the future for a long time, gold will still be widely recognized by humans.
About the Creator
Robert Jack
One of the secrets of emotional stability for adults is to keep the expectations of others to a minimum.
Keep reading
More stories from Robert Jack and writers in Earth and other communities.
What is the special significance of -273.15°C?
toThereisIf someone asks, what is the lowest temperature in the universe? I believe we can all answer: -273.15℃, but if pressed, what is the special meaning of this -273.15℃ with zero and whole? Why is the minimum temperature of the universe limited to -273.15℃? Some people may not be able to answer, but it's okay to answer, let's talk about this knowledge below.
By Robert Jack3 years ago in Earth
Britain in Talks With NATO to Boost Arctic Security
The Arctic Is No Longer a Frozen Backwater For decades, the Arctic sat quietly on the margins of global politics—remote, frozen, and largely ignored. That era is over. Britain is now in talks with NATO to strengthen Arctic security, acknowledging growing risks posed by Russia and China. In a notable shift, London’s assessment aligns closely with warnings long emphasized by Donald Trump, particularly as he continues to express strategic interest in Greenland. What once sounded like an eccentric fixation has evolved into a serious geopolitical conversation. The Arctic is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most contested regions, and Britain is positioning itself to play a larger role. Why Britain Is Paying Attention Now Although the UK is not an Arctic nation, it is an Arctic-adjacent power with significant strategic interests. British officials increasingly view the High North as critical to national and allied security. Melting ice is opening new shipping routes, exposing untapped natural resources, and making military movement easier than ever before. Britain’s talks with NATO focus on intelligence sharing, joint exercises, surveillance capabilities, and protecting undersea infrastructure such as communication cables and energy pipelines. These are not abstract concerns. Any disruption in the Arctic could have immediate consequences for European security and global trade. In short, what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. Russia’s Expanding Arctic Footprint Russia is the dominant military power in the Arctic, and it is not slowing down. Moscow has reopened Soviet-era bases, deployed advanced missile systems, expanded its icebreaker fleet, and increased patrols across the region. The Arctic coastline represents a core part of Russia’s nuclear deterrent, making it strategically vital to the Kremlin. From NATO’s perspective, this military buildup creates both risk and uncertainty. Britain, which has long been vocal about Russian aggression—from Ukraine to cyber warfare—sees the Arctic as another front where deterrence must be strengthened before tensions spiral. The concern is not necessarily an immediate conflict, but miscalculation. In a region with harsh conditions and limited communication infrastructure, even minor incidents could escalate rapidly. China’s Quiet but Steady Arctic Ambitions While Russia’s presence is overt, China’s Arctic strategy is more subtle—and equally concerning to Western planners. Beijing calls itself a “near-Arctic state,” a label that has raised eyebrows in Europe and North America. Through investments, research stations, and partnerships, China is laying the groundwork for long-term influence. Britain shares NATO’s concern that China could use civilian projects for dual-use purposes, blending scientific research with intelligence gathering and infrastructure control. As Arctic shipping routes become commercially viable, China’s interest in controlling parts of the supply chain only grows. London’s alignment with these concerns reflects a broader shift in UK foreign policy: China is no longer viewed solely as an economic partner, but as a strategic competitor. Trump, Greenland, and Strategic Reality Donald Trump’s repeated interest in Greenland—most famously his suggestion that the United States should buy it—was widely mocked at the time. Yet behind the headlines was a strategic logic that many Western governments now openly acknowledge. Greenland sits at the heart of the Arctic, hosting vital air and naval routes between North America and Europe. It is also rich in rare earth minerals critical for modern technology and defense systems. As ice recedes, Greenland’s strategic value only increases. Britain’s current position, which aligns with Trump’s warnings about Arctic vulnerabilities, shows how quickly political perceptions can change. What once seemed unconventional now appears prescient. NATO’s Arctic Awakening NATO has traditionally focused on Eastern Europe and the North Atlantic. The Arctic, despite its importance, received less coordinated attention. That is changing. Britain’s talks with NATO reflect a broader alliance effort to integrate Arctic defense into its core strategy. This includes: Increased joint military exercises in cold-weather environments Enhanced monitoring of Russian and Chinese activity Strengthening cooperation with Arctic nations like Norway, Canada, and Denmark Protecting critical undersea and satellite infrastructure For Britain, this is also about credibility. As a leading NATO member and a key military power, the UK wants to demonstrate that it can contribute meaningfully beyond its immediate geography. Climate Change as a Security Multiplier One of the most striking aspects of Arctic security is how closely it is tied to climate change. Melting ice is not just an environmental issue—it is a strategic one. New sea lanes shorten travel between Asia and Europe, while access to oil, gas, and minerals becomes easier. This transformation increases competition and reduces natural barriers that once limited military movement. Britain’s involvement reflects recognition that climate-driven changes are reshaping the security landscape faster than traditional institutions were designed to handle. In this sense, Arctic security is a preview of future global challenges where environmental change and geopolitics collide. Domestic and Diplomatic Balancing Acts Britain’s Arctic engagement is not without challenges. Increased military involvement raises questions about defense spending, priorities, and escalation risks. Diplomatically, London must balance deterrence with dialogue, avoiding actions that could unnecessarily provoke Russia while still protecting allied interests. There is also the question of public awareness. Arctic security lacks the visibility of conflicts like Ukraine, making it harder to sustain political attention. Yet policymakers increasingly argue that prevention is cheaper—and safer—than crisis response. What This Means Going Forward Britain’s talks with NATO mark an important shift in how the Arctic is viewed: not as a distant frontier, but as a central arena in 21st-century security. Agreement with Trump-era assessments on Russia, China, and Greenland underscores how geopolitical realities can outlast political controversies. As competition intensifies, the Arctic will likely become a testing ground for cooperation, deterrence, and strategic foresight. Britain’s involvement signals that mid-sized powers are no longer content to watch from the sidelines. Final Thoughts The Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth—and so are the geopolitical tensions surrounding it. Britain’s move to boost Arctic security with NATO reflects a growing consensus that ignoring the High North is no longer an option. Whether driven by Russia’s militarization, China’s quiet expansion, or lessons drawn from Trump’s blunt warnings, one truth stands out: the future of global security may well be shaped at the top of the world, where ice, ambition, and power now intersect.
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in Earth
Miss Persephone's Manual to a Seemingly Ordinary Life
Miss Persephone was found at the dining table, her blue eyes swollen, her tears arriving and retreating like the tides of the ocean. Earlier that day, her family had visited her in the retirement home where she had lived for eight years. It was her eightieth birthday.
By Imola Tótha day ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.