Rock Cycle Flashcards
what is an internal geologic process
process that build up Earths surface
what is an external geologic process
process that wear down Earths surface (erosion, weathering)
what are sedimentary rocks
rock made from small and eroded pieces of rock that accumulate over time and create layers
what are some examples of sedimentary rocks
sandstone, shale, limestone
what is igneous rock
rock formed when molten rock hardens and forms most of the earths crust
what are some examples of igneous rock
obsidian, granite, basalt
what is metamorphic rock
rock formed by high temperature and pressure
what are some examples of metamorphic rock
anthracite, slate, marble
what are mineral resources
all naturally occuring materials that are used for human purposes
what are some examples of mineral resources
fossil fuels, metallic minerals like iron and copper, nonmetallic minerals like sand and gravel
what is ore
naturally occuring solid material which contains enough of the mineral to be valuable to mine q
what are some examples of surface mining
strip mining, open pit mining, mountaintop removal
what is subsurface mining
removes deep deposits through a shaft in the earth
what is placer mining
seperating heavily eroded minerals like gold from sand or gravel
what is mine reclamation
process of resotring land that has been mined to a natural state
what is ore mineral
the desired metal in ore
what is gangue
worthless material that is mixed in with the ore
what is smelting
obtaining ore by heating at high temperatures in a furnace
what are some negative effects of mining
habitat loss, sarring and disruption of land, water pollution, liquid and solid hazardous waste, use of cyanide to extract gold
what is the Hubbert peak theory
theory that says any given geographical area from an individual oil producing region to the planet as a whole, the rate of petroleum production tends to follow a bell shaped curve
what is the US general MIning Law of 1872
law that encouraged mineral exploration and mining that also encouraged settling in the west
what happen to the General Mining Law in 1992
law was modified so that mining companies have to post bonds for reclamation
what is SMCRA
established program for regulating surface mining and reclamation and also established mandatory standards for these activites on state and federal lands
what fund did SMCRA create
the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund
