Earth Science Discussion: Geology Minerals and Rocks
Earth Science Discussion: Geology Minerals and Rocks
Earth Science Discussion: Geology Minerals and Rocks
Geology
The science that considers the history of the earth, as recorded in rocks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sediments
older igneous rocks mineral fragments
metamorphic rocks organic material
sedimentary rocks minerals that precipitate
from solution
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.