Earthquakes Could Be the Secret to Gold Nugget Formation

- Scientists have long puzzled over how large gold nuggets form in Earth's crust.
- A new study suggests that earthquakes may induce electric charges in quartz, causing gold particles to clump together.
- This phenomenon has been observed in lab conditions but needs further research to confirm real-world applicability.
- Quartz, a piezoelectric material, can generate electric charges under mechanical stress, potentially leading to gold accumulation.
- The next step is to observe this process in actual gold deposits to validate the findings.

Source: [Science](https://www.science.org/content/article/shake-rattle-and-gold-earthquakes-may-spark-gold-formation)