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Chapter 14: Geology and Earth Resources. 14.1 Earth Processes Shape Our Resources. Earth is a dynamic planet Tectonic processes reshape continents and cause earthquakes and volcanoes. The Solid Earth. Global Earthquakes. Global Volcanoes. The Earth’s Plates. The Plate Tectonics Model.
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Chapter 14: Geology and Earth Resources
14.1 Earth Processes Shape Our Resources • Earth is a dynamic planet • Tectonic processes reshape continents and cause earthquakes and volcanoes
14.2 Rocks And Minerals • The Rock Cycle Creates And Recycles Rocks • Weathering And Erosion Wear Down Rocks
14.3 Economic Geology And Mineralogy • Metals are essential to our economy • What Do You Think? Should We Revise Mining Laws? • The Mining Law of 1872 • Nommetallicminerals include gravel, clay, sand, and salts
Where Are They Now? The Krupps
“Superstack”, Sudbury, Ontario:Once1% of the entire planet’s sulfur emissions – 40,000 tons/day
14.4 Environmental Effects of Resource Extraction • Mining can have serious environmental impacts • Acid runoff • Toxic metals • Processing ores also has negative effects • Sulfur Emissions • Waste Disposal
14.5 Conserving Geological Resources • Recycling saves energy as well as materials • About 50% of Iron and Steel is Recycled • Recycling Electronics • New materials can replace mined resources • New Methods of Mining Low-Grade Ores • Synthesizing Minerals (Quartz, Diamonds) • Alternatives (Plastics for Metals)
Three Emerging Resource Problems • Lithium (Batteries) • Evaporites (Bolivia): Far Easier to Extract • Pegmatites (Lepidolite, Spodumene) • Rare Earths (Electronics) • Col-Tan and Congo Civil War • Chinese Monopoly • California mine to reopen • Phosphorus (Fertilizer) • Morocco, China, South Africa, Jordan, U.S. = 90%
14.6 Geological Hazards • Earthquakes can be very destructive • “Earthquakes Don’t Kill People, Buildings Kill People” • Volcanoes eject gas and ash, as well as lava • Lava is the Least Dangerous Product of Volcanoes • Landslides are examples of mass wasting
Lava Flows Pyroclastic Debris Bombs Lapilli Ash Mudflows Landslides Gases Steam Carbon Dioxide H2S SO2 HCl HF Products of Eruptions
Pollution SO2, HCl in Water Lava Flows Falling Ejecta Ash Falls Building Collapse Crop Destruction Mudflows Direct Damage (Colombia, 1985) Floods (Several Types) Blast (Mt. St. Helens, 1980) Pyroclastic Flow (St. Pierre, 1902) Gas (Lake Nyos, Cameroon, 1986) Environmental Hazards of Volcanoes
Major Hazards of Earthquakes • Building Collapse • Landslides • Fire • Tsunamis (Not Tidal Waves!)
Safest & Most Dangerous Buildings • Small, Wood-frame House - Safest • Steel-Frame • Reinforced Concrete • Unreinforced Masonry • Adobe - Most Dangerous • Loose Concrete Blocks (Haiti, 2010)
