Geology Rock Cycle and Mining Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is considered the most reliable physical property for identifying minerals?

  • Hardness (correct)
  • Cleavage
  • Streak
  • Color
  • Which of the following minerals is the hardest according to Mohs hardness scale?

  • Diamond (correct)
  • Corundum
  • Topaz
  • Apatite
  • What is the tendency of a mineral to break along definite structural planes called?

  • Streak
  • Fracture
  • Cleavage (correct)
  • Color
  • Which mineral can be scratched by a steel nail?

    <p>Quartz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following minerals is often used as a reference in mining due to its specific hardness level?

    <p>Topaz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a reliable method for identifying minerals?

    <p>Color observation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mineral can be scratched with a fingernail according to the Mohs scale?

    <p>Gypsum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criterion did the International Mineralogical Association develop from James Dana's classification?

    <p>Criteria for mineral status</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the milling/crushing stage in the mining process?

    <p>To crush the ore and concentrate valuable minerals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During what phase of mining does actual excavation of minerals take place?

    <p>Production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant challenge during the closure and reclamation phase of mining?

    <p>Ensuring financial costs are minimized</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method is NOT mentioned as a way to separate high-grade ores during ore extraction?

    <p>Thermal decomposition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initial condition is necessary for drilling a geothermal power plant?

    <p>Location near a volcano or hot spring</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to water when it reaches the surface in a geothermal power plant?

    <p>It turns into steam due to a drop in temperature and pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is crucial for the operation of a cooling tower in a geothermal plant?

    <p>To condense steam back to water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of a generator in a geothermal power plant?

    <p>To produce electricity from mechanical energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in the mining process?

    <p>Exploration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method of mining involves removing ore from the surface of the earth?

    <p>Open Pit Mining</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of core drilling in the mining process?

    <p>To collect samples for examining mineral types and grades</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'gangue' refer to in the context of mining?

    <p>Unwanted unprofitable material mixed with ore</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of surface mining?

    <p>Shaft Mining</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What main factor drives the rock cycle?

    <p>Earth's internal heat and the sun's energy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is evaluated during the exploration phase of mining?

    <p>Chemical properties of soil and water for mineral traces</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main objective of modeling ore deposits?

    <p>To create a map of the ore deposit based on geological data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Rock Transformation

    • Shale transforms into hornfels, quartz into quartzite, and limestone into marble; these are non-foliated metamorphic rocks.
    • Slate is used for chalkboards, while quartzite and marble serve as construction materials.

    Rock Cycle

    • The rock cycle is a slow, continuous process driven by Earth's internal heat and solar energy, involving transformations between different rock types.

    Mining Process

    • Mining involves the extraction of mineral resources from the Earth's surface.
    • Ores are naturally occurring materials that can be profitably mined and are composed of valuable minerals mixed with gangue, which is unprofitable.

    Steps in Mining

    • Exploration: Involves prospecting, evaluating land geology, analyzing soil/water samples for minerals, and core drilling to create ore deposit models.
    • Development and Design: Entails determining the mining scope, chosen mining method (surface vs. underground), and planning for safe extraction.
      • Surface mining includes techniques like open-pit and strip mining.
      • Underground mining employs shafts to reach deeper ores.
    • Construction: Involves building infrastructure like roads, processing facilities, employee housing, and environmental management systems.
    • Production: The stage where minerals are actively mined and processed.
    • Milling/Crushing: Ore is crushed, processed, and waste materials are removed.
    • Ore Extraction: Separation of valuable minerals/metals from soil and gangue through gravity, flotation, or chemical separation methods.
    • Refining: Cleaning minerals/metals using processes like smelting and dredging.
    • Closure and Reclamation: Closing the mine and restoring the land, often neglected due to financial constraints.

    Energy Resources

    • Renewable energy resources replenish quickly and include geothermal energy derived from heat within the Earth's surface.
    • Geothermal plants require drilling up to 1-2 miles deep to access hot water/steam, ideally located near volcanic activity.

    Geothermal Power Plant Process

    • Drilling wells bring steam or hot water to the surface.
    • Pressure drop causes hot water to turn into steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator to produce electricity.
    • A cooling tower converts steam back to water, which is then reinjected into the ground for recycling.

    Freshwater Sources

    • Freshwater, found in glaciers, ice sheets, and underground, interacts in various cycles like the nitrogen, carbon, and water cycles.

    Minerals and Rocks

    • Rocks are made of specific elements and compounds known as minerals.
    • James D. Dana established the first standardized classification system for minerals in the 1850s; the International Mineralogical Association refined this definition.

    Mineral Properties

    • Color: Can indicate certain minerals but is not universally reliable due to variations.
    • Streak: Refers to the color of a mineral in powdered form and can aid identification.
    • Hardness: Measured on Mohs scale; minerals range from talc (1) to diamond (10) based on scratch resistance.
    • Cleavage: The tendency of minerals to break along specific planes based on their crystal structure.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on the transformations of rocks in the rock cycle, specifically focusing on non-foliated rocks like hornfels and quartzite. This quiz also covers the process of mining and the uses of different types of rocks in construction and other industries.

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