Chapter 14 Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources 14

Chapter 14 Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources

14 -1 What Are the Earth’s Major Geological Processes and Hazards?

Geology? Study of the dynamic processes taking place on earth’s surface and in its interior The Earth Is a Dynamic Planet Three major concentric zones of the earth Core Mantle Including the asthenosphere Crust Continental crust Oceanic crust: 71% of crust

Major Features of the Earth’s Crust and Upper Mantle Fig. 14 -2, p. 348

Convection cells, or currents move large volumes and heat in loops within the mantle Lithosphere: earth’s crust and the outermost layer of mantle Scientists believe that the flow of heat/material broke up the lithosphere into large sections called Tectonic Plates The Earth Beneath Your Feet Is Moving Three types of boundaries between plates Divergent boundaries Magma Oceanic ridge Convergent boundaries Subduction zone Trench Transform boundaries: San Andreas fault

The Earth’s Crust Is Made Up of a Mosaic of Huge Rigid Plates Fig. 14 -3, p. 348

The Earth’s Major Tectonic Plates Fig. 14 -4, p. 349

The San Andreas Fault as It Crosses Part of the Carrizo Plain in California, U. S. Fig. 14 -5, p. 350

Some Parts of the Earth’s Surface Build Up and Some Wear Down Internal geologic processes Generally build up the earth’s surface Push up continental and oceanic crusts Form mountains and volcanoes External geologic processes Generally break down the earth’s surface (Weathering) Physical, chemical, and biological Erosion Wind Flowing water Human activities Glaciers

Volcanic activities release large amounts of molten rock which solidify into new land forms Earthquake activity moves huge masses of land around Both are responsible for mountain formation Volcanoes And Earthquakes Reshape the Earth’s Surface

Earthquake Risk in the United States Figure 16, Supplement 8

World Earthquake Risk Figure 17, Supplement 8

Tsunami, tidal wave Travels several hundred miles per hour Detection of tsunamis Buoys in open ocean Earthquakes on the Ocean Floor Can Cause Waves Called Tsunamis December 2004: Indian Ocean tsunami Magnitude 9. 15 and 31 -meter waves at shore Coral reefs and mangrove forests help absorb the force of the wave which reduces the death toll on land

Indonesian Sunami of 2004: Map of Formation & Images of Coastal Change Fig. 14 -8, p. 352

14 -2 How Are the Earth’s Rocks Recycled?

Minerals Element or inorganic compound in earth’s crust Usually a crystalline solid Regular and repeating arrangement of atoms Rock Combination of one or more minerals

There Are Three Major Types of Rocks 1. Sedimentary Made of sediments of dead plant/animal remains and particles of weathered/eroded rock Sandstone Shale Limestone Lignite and bituminous coal

2. Igneous Forms below or at earth’s surface from magma Granite Lava rocks There Are Three Major Types of Rocks 3. Metamorphic Pre-existing rock subjected to high pressures, high temperatures, and/or chemically active fluids Anthracitic coal Slate Marble

14 -3 What Are Mineral Resources, and What Are the Environmental Effects of Using Them?

We Use a Variety of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Mineral resource Can be extracted from earth’s crust and processed into raw materials and products at an affordable cost Metallic minerals Nonmetallic minerals Ore Rock that contains profitable concentrations of a mineral High-grade ore Low-grade ore

Metallic mineral resources Aluminum Iron for steel Copper We Use a Variety of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Nonmetallic mineral resources Sand, gravel, limestone Reserves: estimated supply of a mineral resource

The Life Cycle of a Metal Resource Fig. 14 -11, p. 355

Extracting, Processing, Using Nonrenewable Mineral and Energy Resources Fig. 14 -12, p. 356

There Are Several Ways to Remove Mineral Deposits Surface mining – removing shallow deposits (90 % of non-fuel mineral resources and 60 % of the coal) Types: Open-pit mining Strip mining Contour Strip Mining Mountaintop Removal Subsurface mining Deep deposits removed through shafts, tunnels & chambers blasted in the ground

14 -4 How Long Will Supplies of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Last?

Most of the nonrenewable mineral resources used worldwide are supplied by United States Canada Russia South Africa Australia Mineral Resources Are Distributed Unevenly Sharp rise in per capita use in the U. S. especially of Strategic metal resources Manganese (Mn) Cobalt (Co) Chromium (Cr) Platinum (Pt)

Supplies of Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Can Be Economically Depleted Future supply depends on: Actual or potential supply of the mineral Rate at which it is used When it becomes economically depleted: Recycle or reuse existing supplies Waste less Use less Find a substitute Do without Depletion time: time to use a certain portion of reserves