Scientists have found approximately 18 million tons of lithium beneath California's Salton Sea, the state's largest lake. This discovery, located in Southern California's Imperial County, vastly exceeds previous estimates of 4 million tons and could power batteries for 382 million electric vehicles—more than the total number of cars currently on American roads.

The discovery was made during a study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. This "white gold," valued at approximately $540 billion according to some reports, has the potential to transform the U.S. battery industry and advance the nation's clean energy goals.

The Salton Sea is now considered to have one of the world's largest lithium brine deposits. California Governor Gavin Newsom called it the "Saudi Arabia of lithium," pointing to its potential to make the United States a global leader in lithium production.

Michael McKibben, a geochemistry professor at the University of California, Riverside, and one of the study's authors, noted that this find "could make the United States completely self-sufficient in lithium and stop importing it through China."

Currently, the US relies on three main sources for its lithium supply:

• China
• Australia
• South America

The lithium extraction process involves geothermal production wells that extend thousands of feet below the earth's surface to access lithium-rich brine. After extraction, the brine is pumped back underground.

The lithium discovery aligns with broader tech advancements in clean energy. As Nvidia launches its Quantum Research Center in Boston to combine AI with quantum computing, both developments support the nation's goals for energy independence and technological leadership in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Despite its promise, extracting this critical resource presents challenges related to environmental risks and geopolitical considerations. Experts are working to address these concerns as development plans move forward.