EARTH SCIENCE DISCUSSION
Geology
The science that considers the history of the earth, as recorded in rocks.
MINERALS AND ROCKS
Mineral crystals can form in two main ways
From stuff
dissolved in liquids
(Evaporation & Hot Water)
From Cooling molten material
Minerals & Crystals from Magma
& Lava
Minerals form from hot magma as it cools inside the crust, or as lava cools on the surface.
When these liquids cool to a solid, they form crystals (minerals).
Size of the crystal depends on time it takes to freeze into a solid.
“Extrusive” Cooling:
Lava cools Fast
(Short Time = Small Crystals)
“Intrusive” Cooling:
Magma cools slowly
(Long Time = Large Crystals)
TERMINOLOGY
Mineral
is defined as naturally-occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal
structure.
Naturally-occurring
minerals exist naturally. Steel and synthetic diamonds are created artificially, and therefore, are not minerals.
Inorganic
minerals are limited to substances formed through inorganic process, and exclude materials derived from living
organisms which involved organic process.
Solid
all liquid and gases—even those that are naturally formed such as petroleum—are not considered minerals.
Definite chemical composition
the chemical composition of minerals should express the exact chemical formula with the elements and compounds in
specific ratios.
Ordered internal structure
the atoms in minerals are organized in regular, repetitive geometric patterns or crystals structure
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
Silicates
are composed primarily of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons(SiO4-2).
Oxides
consist of metal cations bonded to oxygen O2-.
Sulfides
consist of metal cations bonded to sulfide S2-.
Sulfates
consist of metal cations bonded to sulfate SO42- anionic group. They usually precipitate out of water near Earth’s
surface.
Halides
are composed of halogen ions, such as Cl- Chlorine or F- fluorine, which forms rock salt NaCl and fluorite CaF2.
Carbonates
are characterized by the presence of carbonic ions CO32-
Native metals
consist of a single metal such as copper and gold.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF MINERALS
Six Crystal System
Monoclinic
Triclinic
Isometric
Orthorhombic
Tetragonal
Hexagonal
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS
Cleavage
The tendency of a mineral to break along planes. Minerals
with excellent cleavage will break into smooth, flat, parallel surface.
Fracture
is the texture and shape of a rock's surface formed. is the tendency of a mineral to break along curved surfaces without
a definite shape. These minerals do not have planes of weakness and break irregularly.
Luster
describes appearance of light as it is reflected off its surface.
Color and Streak
The streak of a mineral is the color it displays in finely powdered form. The streak maybe completely different from
the color of the hand specimen. One of the simplest ways of determining the streak of a mineral is to rub a specimen
across a piece of unglazed porcelain known as a streak plate.
Hardness
The hardness of minerals is a measurement of the strength of the chemical bonds in its structure. It can be measured
by scratching it with another mineral or a reference material with known hardness.
Density
Specific gravity is a measurement of the density of a mineral. It is the weight of a minerals relative to the weight of an
equal volume of water.
FORMATION OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
the word “igneous” is derived from Latin “igneus” means “fiery” or on “fire”
WAYS IGNEOUS ROCKS FORM
Below the surface
from slowly cooling magma—this results in the formation of crystals that are visible to naked eye. These type is
called intrusive or plutonic, since they cool underneath.
On the surface
from rapid cooling lava--this results in the formation very small crystals that may not be visible without the use of
magnifying lens.
FORMATION OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Sedimentary rocks are products of lithification of particles produced by the weathering of other pre-existing rocks.
Lithification
process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel fluids, and gradually become solid rock.
Sediments
older igneous rocks mineral fragments
metamorphic rocks organic material
sedimentary rocks minerals that precipitate
from solution
FORMATION OF METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Metamorphic rocks
form when pre-existing or parent rocks (igneous, sedimentary, even metamorphic) are altered by heat, pressure and
the chemical activity of fluids.
Metamorphism meaning change in form
Metamorphism usually occurs underneath the surface, but not as deep as the igneous rocks
foliated metamorphic rocks results in a layered or banded appearance in the rocks
non foliated results in rocks like marble and quartzite
regional metamorphism tectonic process involved produces mountain chain
ORE
are naturally-occurring materials that can be probably mined.
It can be:
Mineral
Rock
Metallic
Non metallic
DEPOSIT
is considered a potential ore body if its localized abundance is greater than its average abundance or distribution on
Earth’s crust.
GOOD ORE
Not too expensive to mine
Not too far to a market to transport
if the additional costs (labor, mine management, and environment protection) outweigh the potential profit to be
made.
LOCATING ORE
Hydrothermal fluid circulation
most common type of ore mineral deposition process
forms when groundwater or seawater is heated by magma or when hot aqueous solutions an expelled from
cooling plutonic body.