Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
Key Concepts Major geologic processes Minerals, rocks, and the rock cycle Earthquakes and volcanoes Finding and extracting mineral resources Non-renewable mineral resources
Geologic Processes: Structure of the Earth
Features of the Crust and Upper Mantle
Plate Tectonics Divergent boundary Convergent boundary Subduction zone Transform fault
Earth’s Major Tectonic Plates
External Earth Processes Weathering - break down of rock 1.Mechanical Frost Wedging Exfoliation 2.Chemical Weathering H 2 O, CO 2, O 2 + Rock Biological Action Erosion - transport of rock Weathering - break down of rock 1.Mechanical Frost Wedging Exfoliation 2.Chemical Weathering H 2 O, CO 2, O 2 + Rock Biological Action Erosion - transport of rock
External Earth Processes Agents of Erosion 1.Water 2.Wind 3.Gravity 4.Glaciers Agents of Erosion 1.Water 2.Wind 3.Gravity 4.Glaciers
Natural Hazards: Earthquakes Features Magnitude Aftershocks Primary effects Secondary effects
Expected Earthquake Damage Canada United States No damage expected Minimal damage Moderate damage Severe damage
Natural Hazards: Volcanic Eruptions extinct volcanoes extinct volcanoes magma reservoir central vent magma conduit Solid lithosphere Solid lithosphere Upwelling magma Partially molten asthenosphere
Resources: Minerals and Rocks Mineral (diamond, quartz, gold) Rock Types Igneous (granite, basalt) Sedimentary (limestone, sandstone) Metamorphic (marble, slate)
Igneous Rock Granite, Pumice, Basalt Sedimentary Rock Shale, Sandstone, Limestone Metamorphic Rock Slate, Quartzite, Marble Magma (Molten Rock) Weathering Erosion Transport Deposition Heat, Pressure Heat, Pressure Heat, Pressure Heat, Pressure Rock Cycle
Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Metallic Non-metallic Energy resources Ores
Nonrenewable Mineral Resources: Categories Identified Undiscovered Reserves Other
Finding Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Satellite and air imagery Magnetometers Gravity differences Radiation detectors Seismic surveys Chemical analyses
Extracting Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Open-pit (surface mining) Area strip (surface mining) Contour strip (surface mining) Dredging (surface mining) Room-and-pillar (subsurface mining) Longwall (subsurface mining)
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Established 1977 Mine lands must be restored to pre- mining conditions Taxes on mining companies to restore pre-1977 sites Limited success due to lobbying efforts of coal companies Established 1977 Mine lands must be restored to pre- mining conditions Taxes on mining companies to restore pre-1977 sites Limited success due to lobbying efforts of coal companies
Environmental Effects of Mining Mineral Resources Disruption of land surface Subsidence Erosion of solid mining waste Acid mine drainage Air pollution Storage & leakage of liquid mine waste
Environmental Effects of Mining Mineral Resources
More Environmental Impacts of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Surface mining Subsurface mining Overburden Spoil Open-pit Dredging Strip mining Room and pillar Longwall Refer to Figs and 15-5, p. 341 and 342
Processing Mineral Resources Ore mineral Gangue Tailings Smelting
Supplies of Mineral Resources Economic depletion Depletion time Foreign sources Economics Environmental concerns Mining the ocean Finding substitutes New technologies