APES ch.
8 -- Module 24: Mineral Resources and Geology
Reading Guide for Friedland 3e
Case study, page 269 and pages 271-283
1. Even though electric and hybrid vehicles reduce fossil fuel consumption, they still have a
significant environmental impact. Explain why, and describe some of these impacts? Answer:
The production of hybrid and electric vehicles requires the use of materials such as lithium ion
batteries, which can contribute to emissions during the manufacturing process.
2. The inside of the Earth is characterized by vertical zonation. Briefly describe each of Earth’s
layers:
a. Crust Answer: The brittle outermost layer of the planet, called the lithosphere (from the
Greek word lithos, which means “rock”), is approximately 100 km (60 miles) thick. It
includes the solid upper mantle as well as the crust, the chemically distinct outermost
layer of the lithosphere.
b. Mantle Answer: Above the core is the mantle, containing molten rock, or magma, that
slowly circulates in convection cells, much as the atmosphere does.
c. Core Answer: The core is a dense mass largely made of nickel and some iron. The
inner core is solid, and the outer core is liquid.
3. What is the connection between the heat at the Earth’s core and the movement of its tectonic
plates? Answer: Heat energy from the core creates these convection currents within the
mantle. As the mantle material heats up, it becomes less dense and rises toward the surface.
4. What evidence led Alfred Wegner to propose the theory of plate tectonics in 1912? Answer:
Observations of identical rock formations on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The positions of
these formations suggested that a single supercontinent may have broken up into separate
landmasses.
5. How do the properties of oceanic crust rock and continental rock differ? Answer: Oceanic
crust rock is primarily composed of basalt, which is dense and rich in iron and magnesium and
oceanic crust is constantly being create a mid ocean ridges through volcanic activity.
6. Take some time to look over figures 24.5 & 6. Describe the process of subduction. Answer:
In figures 24.5 the arrows indicate the direction of plate movement showcasing the effect of
new lithosphere being added to the spreading zones and older lithosphere is recycled into the
mantle at subduction zones. Subduction which states that When oceanic plates meet
continental plates, old oceanic crust is pulled downward beneath the continental lithosphere,
removed from the ocean bottom, and pushed toward the center of Earth.
7. Why do the Hawaiian Islands for an “arc”, with the oldest islands at one end and they youngest
at the other end? Answer: The Hawaiian Islands were formed by a series of volcanic eruptions
over several million years as the Pacific Plate traveled over a geologic hot spot.
8. How can new ocean crust be formed? Answer: As oceanic plates move apart, rising magma
forms new oceanic crust on the seafloor at the boundaries between those plates.
9. At a convergent plate boundary where oceanic crust is meeting continental crust, what will
happen? Answer: Forces magma up to the lithosphere surface creating coastal mountains,
volcanoes on land, trenches, tsunamis.
10. What types of tectonic plate movements can cause earthquakes? Answer: Transform Fault
Plate Boundary: When plates slide past each other in opposite direction forming earthquakes.
11. How much stronger is an earthquake that registers as an 8/0 on the Richter scale than an
earthquake measuring 4.0? What else have we learned about that is measured like this?
Answer: It is impactfully 1,000 times stronger than an earthquake measuring 4.0.
12. Study figure 24.11. Why are earthquake zones and volcanic activity often located in the same
places? Answer: Due to earthquakes being a direct result of the movement of plates and their
contact with each other leading to volcanic eruptions to happen when molten magma beneath
the crust is released to the atmosphere.
13. What causes a tsunami? Answer: A tsunami is a series of waves in the ocean caused by
seismic activity or an undersea volcano. As those waves approach land, their height becomes
greater and they can cause substantial—sometimes catastrophic—damage upon reaching
land.
14. Describe how each type of rock is formed AND give at least one example of each.
a. Igneous Answer: Igneous rocks form directly from magma. They are classified by their
chemical composition as basaltic or granitic, and by their mode of formation as intrusive
or extrusive. Ex: Basaltic rock is dark-colored rock that contains minerals with high
concentrations of iron, magnesium, and calcium.
b. Metamorphic Answer: Metamorphic rocks form when sedimentary rocks, igneous
rocks, or other metamorphic rocks are subjected to high temperatures and pressures.
The pressures that form metamorphic rock cause profound physical and chemical
changes in the rock. These pressures can be exerted by overlying rock layers or by
tectonic processes such as continental collisions, which cause extreme horizontal
pressure and distortion. Ex: Metamorphic rocks include stones such as slate and marble
as well as anthracite, a type of coal.
c. Sedimentary Answer: Sedimentary rocks form when sediments such as muds, sands,
or gravels are compressed by overlying sediments. Sedimentary rock formation occurs
over long periods when environments such as sand dunes, mudflats, lake beds, or
areas prone to landslides are buried and the overlying materials create pressure on the
materials below. Ex: Sedimentary rocks hold the fossil record that provides a window
into our past. When layers of sediment containing plant or animal remains are
compressed over eons
