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Gold Rush Ranking: Washington State Shines in US Geological Study

A recent study has uncovered that Washington state ranks as the second most promising location in the United States for striking it rich through the discovery of gold. This research, conducted by SD Bullion, delved into data provided by the United States Geological Survey, focusing on regions across America where gold ore has been identified or actively mined.

California, renowned as “The Golden State,” unsurprisingly claimed the top spot in this ranking. The study revealed a staggering 66.59 gold locations per 1,000 square miles within California, with a total of 10,373 documented locations where gold has been found or is currently being extracted. This figure significantly surpasses that of Washington, which secured second place with 2,271 such locations across its 66,455 square miles of land area.

Washington’s high ranking can be attributed to its density of 34.17 gold locations per 1,000 square miles, marking it as a standout despite its smaller land mass compared to other states in the top ten. Oregon follows closely in third place, boasting 31.41 gold locations per 1,000 square miles and a total of 3,015 identified locations spread across its 95,988 square miles.

Nevada, known for its expansive desert landscapes, secured the fourth position with 30.91 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Its 109,781 square miles accommodate 3,393 locations where gold has been found or is actively mined, underscoring the state’s pivotal role in gold production within the United States.

Idaho rounds out the top five states, recording 28.44 gold locations per 1,000 square miles. Despite its smaller size relative to others in the ranking, Idaho hosts 2,350 locations where gold has been identified or is currently being extracted across its 82,643 square miles, largely owing to its historically mineral-rich mountainous terrain.

Moving down the list, Arizona claims the sixth spot with 17.40 gold locations per 1,000 square miles, totaling 1,977 locations across its 113,594 square miles. Colorado follows in seventh place, registering 14.89 gold locations per 1,000 square miles with 1,543 locations spread throughout its 103,642 square miles, primarily concentrated in the Rocky Mountains.

Montana secures the eighth position with 13.21 gold locations per 1,000 square miles, encompassing 1,923 identified locations within its extensive 145,546 square miles. Alaska, despite its vast size of 570,641 square miles, ranks ninth due to its 9.22 gold locations per 1,000 square miles and a total of 5,264 locations where gold has been discovered or is currently being mined.

Utah completes the top ten with 7.46 gold locations per 1,000 square miles and 613 documented locations within its 82,169 square miles. Interestingly, the study found that only 32 states in the United States have either gold ore deposits present or active gold production sites. States such as Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, and Florida did not feature on the list due to the absence of significant gold-bearing locations.

The study’s findings underscore regions in the United States with favorable geological conditions and a history of successful mining activities as prime opportunities for both amateur prospectors and industry professionals. These insights into the distribution of gold deposits provide valuable guidance for those interested in gold exploration, highlighting key areas across the country where the likelihood of discovering this precious metal remains notably high.

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