A gold finding tip that can make you quake in your boots –
It’s Gold’s Fault!
BAM! Rumble..
The ground started rocking and rolling. I was jolted awake, and my wife said “is this it?” I said I’m not sure, and started my usual quake countdown while listening to the rumble, rumble fade off into the distance. It’s 5:30 AM, what a way to start the new day in earthquake country!
The USGS pegged it at a 4.7 magnitude quake close to me. Even more interesting was the next quake, a 5.1 magnitude farther away that led to a swarm of quakes over the next several days. I always watch for those because they tend to point out weaknesses in the Earth’s crust that we don’t even know about. These often show weaknesses along undiscovered fault lines and hydrothermal fissures.
You’re probably wondering what in the world am I talking about. What do earthquakes have to do with gold prospecting? Well you see in gold country, one of the most interesting things you can look for are fissures loaded with quartz and metallic oxides and other substances such as iron, pyrites, silver and gold.
In fact what you’re looking for may be a little jog in these fissures where the quartz makes a 90° turn and widens out. There are many theories about what causes the jog to precipitate gold; some people believe that when the piezoelectric effect takes place in the turn it will cause electric precipitation of the metals from solution. Others have different opinions about how faults and gold relate.
Recent research results show that during a small quake the actual fault behavior at these 90° joints can cause the instant vaporization of water, leading to the precipitation of quartz and metals including gold right on the spot. That precipitation of gold may take place over time such as during a swarm or a long-term creep with little jolts, the metal will continue to precipitate from solution into a nice little pay lead.
Anyhow, I’ve had several people ask me if earthquake faults can relate to gold, and the answer is yes! What to look for… Keep your eyes open for those abrupt rock and soil anomalies called faults; it might just lead you to your next gold bonanza.
To find more about how to look for gold: http://hunting4gold.com/gold/20-20-prospecting-1/
Good prospecting!
Prospector Jess
Hey, Prospector Jess,
In just joining, I (as a Canadian) have yet to see to whom we can sell gold… and trust. Please advise