earth scinece

Question 1

Where are metallic minerals

Answer 1

usually found in igneous and metamorphic rock formations

Question 2

Where are Non-metallic minerals

Answer 2

are often found embedded in young fold mountains and sedimentary rocks

Question 3

What do ferrous metals contain?

Answer 3

iron

Question 4

what is a mineral deposit?

Answer 4

A mineral deposit is a place in Earth’s crust where geologic processes have concentrated one or more minerals at greater abundance than in the average crust. An ore deposit is a mineral deposit that can be produced to make a profit. Thus, all ore deposits are mineral deposits, but the reverse is not true.

Question 5

Contrast a mineral deposit and an ore

Answer 5

Mineral deposits refers to a mass of concentrated naturally occurring mineral of potential economic value while an ore is a deposit in the earths crust of one or more valuable minerals and can be recovered economicly.

Question 5

what is an ore

Answer 5

Ore is a deposit in Earth’s crust of one or more valuable minerals and can be recovered economically.. The most valuable ore deposits contain metals crucial to industry and trade, like copper, gold, and iron.

Question 5

non metallic minerals

Answer 5

Non- metallic minerals are a special group of chemical elements from which no new product can be generated if they are melted
Non-metallic minerals are highly resistant to corrosion
Non-metallic minerals are often found embedded in young fold mountains and sedimentary rocks
Examples: sand, gravel

Question 5

what is a energy resource

Answer 5

The term energy resource refers to any material that can be used as a basis or source of energy
Energy resources are converted to electricity, a secondary energy source
They can be both non-renewable/renewable

Question 5

what is an ore

Answer 5

Ore is a deposit in Earth’s crust of one or more valuable minerals. The most valuable ore deposits contain metals crucial to industry and trade, like copper, gold, and iron.

Question 5

Non-renewable mineral

Answer 5

The term non-renewable resource refers to a natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed
A non-renewable resource is a finite resource
Humans constantly draw on the reserves of these substances while the formation of new supplies takes eons
Most fossil fuels, minerals, and metal ores are non-renewable resources

Question 6

Formation of Mineral Ores

Answer 6

Metallic minerals (metals) are minerals which contain one or more metallic element.
Abundant metals are minerals that constitute more than 0.1% of the Earth’s crust i.e. iron has been used for 1000s of years.

Question 7

what is a scarce metal

Answer 7

Scarce metals have a natural abundance which constitutes less than 0.1% of the Earth’s crust, however are still sought out due to their usefulness to society
Scarce metals are divided into four groups: Precious metals, Ferroalloy metals, Base metals & Special Metals

Question 8

what is an iron ore

Answer 8

Iron ores are rocks from which metallic iron can be economically extracted

Question 9

how is gold formed?

Answer 9

While gold is formed in the stars, it can also be found in the Earth’s crust
Fluids deep in the crust are heated by the Earth’s internal heat
These fluids moved through rocks over a large area and ‘dissolved’ the gold
When these fluids cooled or reacted with other rocks, the dissolved gold precipitated (came out of the fluid) in cracks or fractures forming veins
If the fluids move over a large enough area, and dissolve the gold for a long enough period of time, gold can be concentrated in amounts in the parts per thousand or even greater
Gold formed in Australia took place hundreds of millions of years ago in the Eastern parts and thousands of millions of years ago in Western Australia

Question 10

what is gold

Answer 10

Gold is one of the densest of all metals
Gold is widespread in low concentrations in all igneous rocks
Its abundance in Earth’s crust is estimated at about 0.005 part per million
Gold often occurs in association with copper and lead deposits, and, though the quantity present is often extremely small, it is readily recovered as a by-product in the refining of those base metals
Gold formation takes millions to billions of years

Question 11

Bauxite

Answer 11

Bauxite is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminium content
Bauxite is the most common ore of aluminium
It forms when laterite soils are severely leached of silica and other soluble materials in a wet tropical or subtropical climate
Lateritic bauxites were formed in a period from the mid-Cretaceous to the late-Tertiary (100 million to 2 million years)
Laterite: soil layer that is rich in iron oxide and derived from a wide variety of rocks weathering under strongly oxidizing and leaching conditions

Question 12

what is a fossil fuel

Answer 12

A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the Earth’s crust from the remains of dead plants and animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel

Question 14

what is coal and what is it made of?

Answer 14

Coal: a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock with a high amount of carbon and hydrocarbons
its a fossil fuel

Question 15

what is coal seam gas?

Answer 15

Coal Seam Gas: a naturally occurring methane gas found in most coal seams and is similar to conventional natural gas
it is a fossil fuel

Question 16

what is crude oil

Answer 16

Crude Oil: also known as petroleum or simply oil, is a naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid mixture of mainly hydrocarbons
its a fossil fuel

Question 17

what is natural gases

Answer 17

a naturally occurring mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons consisting primarily of methane in addition to various smaller amounts of other higher alkanes

Question 18

coal formation??

Answer 18

Coal contains the energy stored by plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago in swampy forests
Layers of dirt and rock covered the plants over millions of years
The resulting pressure and heat turned the plants into the substance we call coal

Question 19

what is crude oil

Answer 19

Crude oil or liquid petroleum is found accumulated in various porous rock formations in Earth’s crust and is extracted for burning as fuel or for processing into chemical products

Question 20

Crude Oil Formation

Answer 20

Crude oil/petroleum forms over millions of years The remains of marine organisms i.e. animals and plants were covered by layers of silt, sand and rock This consequently applied heat and pressure and allowed crude oil to form

Question 21

3 Different types of geological settings

Answer 21

igneous , sedimentry and metamordphic

Question 22

types sedimentary geological setting

Answer 22

Placer deposits Geochemical (Weathering) Stratigraphic Traps

Question 23

types igneous geological setting

Answer 23

Magmatic Hydrothermal Exhalative

Question 24

what are igneous setting

Answer 24

An igneous geological setting refers to the environment in which igneous rocks are formed, primarily through the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava)

Question 25

types Metamorphic geological setting

Answer 25

Contact Metamorphism Regional Metamorphism

Question 26

what are intrusive and extrusive setting

Answer 26

Intrusive settings – beneath Earth’s surface Extrusive settings – above Earth’s surface

Question 27

what is a magmatic geological setting

Answer 27

refers to an environment where magma (molten rock) forms, moves, and crystallizes within the Earth's crust or mantle This setting plays a crucial role in the formation of igneous rocks

Question 28

what is a hydrothermal geological setting

Answer 28

refers to an environment where heated water and dissolved minerals circulate through rocks, often resulting in the alteration of those rocks and the deposition of mineral resources for example: gold, silver, copper, and lead These settings are typically associated with volcanic activity or tectonic processes and can lead to the formation of various geological features and deposits

Question 29

what is a Exhalative geological setting

Answer 29

An exhalative geological setting refers to an environment where gases and hot fluids are expelled from the Earth's interior, typically associated with volcanic or geothermal activity These exhalations can lead to the deposition of minerals and the formation of specific geological features

Question 30

what is a sedimentry setting

Answer 30

sedimentary geological setting refers to an environment where sediments are deposited, accumulated, and transformed into sedimentary rocks Sediments can originate from the erosion of pre-existing rocks or biological activity i.e. shell or plant material Sediments accumulate in various environments

Question 31

Placer Deposits

Answer 31

placer deposits are concentrations of valuable minerals that have been accumulated by the action of moving water i.e. rivers or oceans

Question 32

what is a Geochemical/Weathering Processes

Answer 32

A geochemical (weathering) setting refers to an environment where chemical processes break down rocks and minerals, leading to the alteration of their composition and the formation of new minerals The process of weathering often leads to the formation of secondary minerals, such as clays, iron oxides i.e hematite which is a type of iron

Question 33

Stratigraphic Traps

Answer 33

A stratigraphic trap is a type of geological formation that can trap hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas) due to variations in rock layers and their properties Stratigraphic traps result from changes in the sedimentary environment that create impermeable layers that can hold oil or gas Stratigraphic traps are significant in petroleum geology and exploration because they can be prolific sources of oil and gas

Question 34

Metamorphic Settings

Answer 34

A metamorphic geological setting refers to an environment where rocks undergo metamorphism Metamorphism is a process that alters their mineral composition and texture due to changes in temperature, pressure, and the presence of chemically active fluids Metamorphism typically occurs at elevated temperatures (generally between 200°C and 800°C) and pressures, often found deep within the Earth's crust or at tectonic plate boundaries

Question 35

Contact Metamorphism

Answer 35

Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are subjected to high temperatures and sometimes pressures due to their proximity to molten magma or lava This type of metamorphism typically happens in specific geological settings: igneous intrusions, volcanic areas and near faults The resulting metamorphic rocks, often called "contact metamorphic rocks," typically display changes such as recrystallization, formation of new minerals Rocks formed in these settings often exhibit foliation and banding due to the directional pressure and temperature conditions

Question 36

Regional Metamorphism

Answer 36

Regional metamorphism occurs over large areas under conditions of high pressure and temperature, typically associated with tectonic processes such as continental collision and mountain building An example of a key geological settings for regional metamorphism is a subduction zone or where two continental plates collide

Question 37

Metallic Resources - Gold where can it be found

Answer 37

Gold can be found in various geological settings Lode deposits (veins or fractures within a hard rock) Alluvial deposits (a type of placer deposit) Hydrothermal deposits Metamorphic environments Banded iron formations

Question 38

Metallic Resources - Bauxite

Answer 38

Bauxite can be found in various geological settings Tropical & subtropical regions that experience intense weathering Sedimentary environments

Question 39

Metallic Resources – Iron Ore

Answer 39

Iron ore can be found in various geological settings Banded iron formations – sedimentary rocks with many layers Magmatic deposits/volcanic environments

Question 40

Mineral Sands

Answer 40

Mineral sands are found in specific geological settings: Coastal environments Riverine environments Estuaries Aeolian deposits (windy regions) Sedimentary basins Ancient shorelines

Question 41

Coal mineral sand

Answer 41

Coal deposits form in specific geological settings that allow the accumulation and preservation or organic material. Large sedimentary basins Tectonically active regions

Question 42

Coal Seam Gas

Answer 42

Coal seam gas (coal bed methane) can be found in geological settings associated with coal deposits. Coal basins Tectonically stable regions Subsurface coal deposits Aquifers

Question 43

Crude oil

Answer 43

Crude oil is typically found in specific geological settings that allow hydrocarbons to accumulate and be trapped Sedimentary basins Rocks that have been subjected to heat and pressure Stratigraphic traps River and coastal environments Subduction zones

Question 44

Natural Gas

Answer 44

Natural gas found be found in the following primary environments: Sedimentary basins Rocks that have been subjected to heat and pressure Stratigraphic traps

Question 45

Licensing and permissions in resource exploration

Answer 45

Ownership rights of coal, petroleum and most mineral deposits are held by the Crown (i.e. state governments) Any individual or corporation wanting to conduct mineral exploration activities must first pay a state free to gain an exploration licence or lease.

Question 46

Exploration Permit

Answer 46

An exploration permit will allows you to prospect, conduct geophysical surveys, drilling, and sampling and testing of materials Different exploration permits are required for minerals and for coal

Question 47

Native Title

Answer 47

Australian law recognises that Indigenous people have rights and interests in the land under their traditional laws and custom, this is known as Native Title

Question 48

Mineral Development Licence (MDL)

Answer 48

A mineral development licence (MDL) is granted and administered by the Department of Resources (DoR) This licence allows for further studies of a resource to be carried out once minerals or coal have been discovered For example: conduct feasibility studies, geoscientific programs (for example drilling, seismic surveys), metallurgical testing and environmental studies

Question 49

Exploration Techniques

Answer 49

Literature and historic records - purpose is to find location Remote sensing techniques, including satellite and aerial imaging, hyperspectral imaging, and geophysical datasets for magnetic, gravitational and radioactive testing – purpose is to find the spatial extent Direct sampling geochemical techniques, including soil, rock sampling, auguring, drilling and core sampling – purpose is to determine the quality of the resource

Question 50

Literature & Historic Records

Answer 50

If the geology of a region is well know, it is sometimes possible to infer the presence of a resource that is not readily visible This can be considered as literature and historic records, as well as where there have been past mine sites or extraction of minerals and energy resources

Question 51

Geophysical Methods

Answer 51

Geophysical techniques are used to detect possible subsurface minerals and analyse the subsurface geology Subsurface geology is the study of the physical properties and location of rock and soil found below the ground surface Geophysical data allows anomalies and local variations in rock mineralogy to be seen which is important to geologists

Question 52

Remote Sensing

Answer 52

Data gathering phase involves the use of modern techniques known as remote sensing Satellite imagery & aerial photography Geophysical information can also be collected through remote sensing such as magnetic, intensity, electromagnetic surveys and radiometric data Air craft i.e. helicopters or fixed wing aircraft will fly over selected areas carrying sensitive instruments to collect geophysical information

Question 53

Remote Sensing

Answer 53

The main advantage of an airborne survey over a ground-based one is that a much greater land area can be covered in the same time period The magnetometer continuously records the total magnetic field intensity immediately beneath the magnetometer This type of remote sensing generates a magnetic survey and allows different rock types to be identify as they have different abundances of magnetic minerals

Question 54

Imaging

Answer 54

Satellite and Aerial Imaging makes use of the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum Topography can be mapped and show drainage patterns, old volcanoes, major fold belts, major faults and igneous intrusions Hyperspectral images produce a spectrum (represented by several hundred numbers) at each pixel in an image. Hyperspectral images can discriminate between different types of rock or vegetation.