Table of Contents
How do geoscientist explore?
Geological exploration follows a sequence of multidisciplinary activities: reconnaissance, discovery, prospecting, and economic mining. The exploration concept looks for a package of unique stratigraphic age, promising favorable rocks, and type structure to host certain groups of minerals.
What does a geochemist study?
Geochemists study the composition, structure, processes, and other physical aspects of the Earth. They examine the distribution of chemical elements in rocks and minerals, and the movement of these elements into soil and water systems.
Why should you test several properties when identifying minerals?
Although there are many thousands of named minerals, only a dozen or so are common in Earth’s crust. Testing a few physical properties therefore means that you can identify about 90% of what you are likely to encounter in the field.
Why do geologists study minerals?
Why do geologists study minerals? Geologists study minerals to help identify, classify, and analyze minerals and better understand where they came from. The most reliable way to identify a mineral using color is the streak test.
What is a geologist’s role in mining?
Exploration geologists are employed by organisations working within the minerals extraction industry. They are responsible for identifying and assessing the location, quantity and quality of mineral deposits. Their work can be office based, although fieldwork is necessary to collect and test site/drillhole samples.
What is mineral exploration?
Mineral exploration is a complete sequence of activities. It ranges between searching for a new mineral prospect (reconnaissance) and evaluation of the property for economic mining (feasibility study). It also includes augmentation of additional ore reserves and resources in the mine and total mining district.
What is industrial chemistry all about?
Industrial Chemistry is the branch of chemistry which applies physical and chemical processes towards the transformation of raw materials into products that are of benefit to humanity. Have skills to enable them understand, develop and modify industrial technologies and hence promote industrial development.
What is the study of the chemistry of rocks called?
Petrology is the study of rocks – igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary – and the processes that form and transform them. Mineralogy is the study of the chemistry, crystal structure and physical properties of the mineral constituents of rocks.
What do geologists look for in a mineral?
Of all these, only a few hundred are considered common. To help with identification, geologists must look closely at the physical properties of a mineral. These properties can include: color, streak, hardness, cleavage, specific gravity, crystal form, and others.
Why are geologists interested in the history of rocks?
Geologists are scientists who have learned to read and share the stories that rocks tell. The unique recipe of minerals in rocks tells geologists the story of the origin, history, and environments of rocks and the changes to which rocks have been subjected over time.
How are physical properties related to mineral identification?
The physical properties of minerals are related to their chemical composition and bonding. Some characteristics, such as a mineral’s hardness, are more useful for mineral identification. Color is readily observable and certainly obvious, but it is usually less reliable than other physical properties.
How are growth patterns used to identify minerals?
Sometimes, growth patterns, called the mineral habit, disguise the ideal form of the crystal. However, these habits can also aid in identification. Some commonly found habits include: botryoidal (which resembles a cluster of grapes), striated (parallel grooves on crystal faces), and acicular (needlelike).