Geology and nonrenewable mineral resources terms
Geology
• Study of the earth's dynamic geologic history.
Earths layers 2 kinds: Oceanic, Continental
Rock Types
Caused by heat and pressure
Caused by heat and then cooling
Caused by weathering of rocks then compaction (pressure)
Weathering
Melting, then cooling
Weathering
Melting and pressure
Plate Tectonics (Plates)
Plate Boundries
Convergent
Transform
Divergent
Subduction Zone
Earthquakes Along Fault
Magma/Lava
Magma
LavaComposite
Volcano
Depletion Time (80%)
• Time frame in which usually 80% of mineral resource is predicted to be depleted-other 20% costs too much
Erosion
High grade Ore
• Ore containing large amounts of the pure desired mineral
That’s some high quality
H2O
Mixture
• One or more elements or compounds…duh
Mineral
• Naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline
Mineral resources: Metallic, Nonmetallic
Subsurface mining/Surface mining
Subsurface
Surface
Strip Mining (area and contour)
Mountain top removal
• Primarily for CoalSpoils-Unwanted material from the removal of the
mineral
Open Pit Mining
OreMixture of mineral and impurities mined from ground-Various processes used to purify
Smelting
Subsidence(Due to mining mostly)
Tailings
Issues• Resource depletion
• Destruction of natural resources (land, forest, mountains)
• Erosion of land after mining
• Hazardous waste tailings in ground and water
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