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