(Stnd 21) Quiz-Tectonics & Resource Distrib WS 02

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By studying rock formations and fossils, scientists can determine climatic conditions of regions from millions of years ago. For example, the chart below shows the estimated annual rainfall for six different regions on the Eurasian continent 300 million years ago.

Which of these six regions had the greatest potential for forming coal, and why is it unlikely that this region would have the same annual rainfall today?

a.	The desert region had the least precipitation, and therefore probably contained an abundance of life forms which later became fossils. Furthermore, since tectonic forces make continents remain stationary, this region is probably still a desert today.
b.	The taiga region combined with the tundra region were the areas most likely to form coal deposits due to tectonic forces. Furthermore, due to the water cycle and the rock cycle, these areas are most likely still forming great amounts of coal today.
c.	The rainforest region had the most precipitation and the greatest amount of plant life. Therefore, it would have more organic material that could eventually become coal. Due to tectonic plate movement, this area today is probably no longer a rainforest.
d.	The deciduous forest region had the highest precipitation volume and the most diverse ecosystems. So, it would have more organic material that could potentially be converted into coal over time. However, today this area is arid with little rainfall.

Coal, which comes mainly from decayed terrestrial plants, is the most abundant fossil fuel in the ground. Coal forms when large amounts of organic matter pile up and decay under anaerobic conditions. Over time as these deposits are subjected to pressure from overlying rock formations and/or bodies of water, they undergo physical and chemical changes resulting in the solid fossil fuel that we call coal.

Major U.S. Coal Deposits

By looking over the map above, what can your infer about the climatic conditions millions of years ago in the states along the Pacific Coast (California, Oregon, and Washington) contrasted with the climatic conditions of the coal-rich interior states including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania?

a.	These interior states were once part of a different continent due to tectonic plate movement. The Pacific Coast states, however, have never moved.
b.	Large oil and mineral deposits have been discovered in these interior states. However, no oil or minerals have ever been found in the Pacific Coast states.
c.	Pacific Coast states received higher amounts of precipitation and sunlight which resulted in the formation of coal deposits. These interior states had less rainfall.
d.	These interior states received high levels of precipitation and had diverse and vibrant forest ecosystems. Pacific Coast states received less rain and had less plant life.

The map below shows the distribution of mineral and coal deposits throughout the United States. Many mines and deposits are concentrated along mountain chains. For example, there are gold mines in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, coal mines along the Appalachian mountain range in the eastern United States, and various mineral mines in and around the Rocky Mountains in the western United States.

Two Part Question:
Part One: What tectonic phenomena can be associated with these three mountain ranges?
Part Two: How would this phenomena help scientists and miners locate/access these deposits?

a.	*Part One:* Phenomena-Weathering and Sedimentation *Part Two:* A high concentration of sediment often leads to mineral or coal formation.
b.	*Part One:* Phenomena-Evaporation *Part Two:* As part of the water cycle, ocean water evaporates to form clouds
c.	*Part One:* Phenomena-Uplift *Part Two:* Raising the deposits nearer the surface, make is easier to find/extract them.
d.	*Part One:* Phenomena-Convection Cycles *Part Two:* Convection currents in the Earth moves mineral deposits towards the core.

An agricultural company wants to purchase new farm land to expand their crop yields. They do not want to rely on rainfall alone to water their crops. Therefore, they hired a geologist and a hydrologist to help them locate a high-volume source of groundwater so that they can irrigate their crops with water from an aquifer.

Which of the following areas should they target for exploration and why?

a.	They should locate a suitable dig site at a high-elevation area on a jagged mountain peak. Water is most likely to form on these type of summits.
b.	They should begin their search in a low-lying area (an estuary) near the shore of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Gravity pulls water down towards these low areas.
c.	They should find an area that contain no porous or permeable rock formations. Porosity and permeability accelerate water evaporation resulting in less groundwater.
d.	They should examine a nearby geological basin containing permeable rock formations because it has the highest probably of having a large aquifer.

Tectonic processes contribute to the formation and uneven distribution of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Based upon our understanding of how fossil fuels form, we can determine the climatic conditions that were present in an area millions of years ago.

Distribution of Global Oil Reserves
(2017 By Region)

400 million years ago, which region had the most favorable climatic and tectonic conditions for forming oil, and which region has the least favorable conditions for petroleum formation.

a.	Middle East had the most favorable conditions. Asia-Pacific had the least favorable
b.	Most Favorable: Central/South American, Least Favorable: Asia Pacific
c.	Best conditions: Middle East, Worst conditions: Central and South America
d.	North America had the most favorable conditions. Africa had the least favorable

When geologists search for aquifers, mineral lodes, and/or fossil fuel deposits, they use their knowledge of tectonic processes to help them locate these underground natural resources.

What pair of cause and effect statements below best demonstrates a connection between tectonic plate movement, and the amount of groundwater in a region?

a.	Cause: Plate movement changed Asia’s climate resulting in increased precipitation. Effect: Tremendous rainfall led to massive erosion which formed the Himalayas.
b.	Cause: Convection currents move tectonic plates around the globe. Effect: Sometimes plates collide, and this forms a convergent boundary.
c.	Cause: A continent is moved to the equator in the middle of an ocean. Effect: Frequent rainfall on the continent results in large amounts of groundwater
d.	Cause: Great quantities of water evaporate from the oceans every day. Effect: This water eventually falls back to the surface as rainfall.

Fossil fuel deposits including coal, oil, and natural gas form underground due to tectonic processes.

(Multi-Select Question_
What cause and effect connections below best explains how fossil fuels are formed?
(Select 3 of 5 choices)

a.	Cause: Plate movement changed Asia’s climate resulting in increased precipitation. Effect: Tremendous rainfall formed massive aquifers across Indian and China.
b.	Cause: Heat from Earth’s interior radiated to decayed organic matter. Effect: This heat helped convert the organic matter into coal. oil, and/or natural gas.
c.	Cause: Pressure from tectonic plates compressed underground organic matter. Effect: This pressure helped convert the organic matter into fossil fuels.
d.	Cause: Sedimentary rock formations were laid down on decayed organic matter. Effect: Pressure from these sedimentary rock layers helped form fossil fuels.
e.	Cause: Earth’s unstable orbit around the sun. Effect: Glacial periods (ice ages) and Inter-glacial periods (warming times).

Tectonic processes effect the formation and locations of various natural resources. such as fossil fuels, minerals, and groundwater.

(Multi-Select Question)
Explain the connection between tectonic processes and the formation of groundwater and/or minerals and/or fossil fuels. (Select 3 of the 5 choices.)

a.	Humans can deplete and empty aquifers via excessive water use from wells.
b.	Heat and pressure at plate boundaries can result in mineral deposits.
c.	Basins formed by tectonic forces collect water which can form aquifers.
d.	Extreme temperatures and immense pressure underground can convert decayed organic matter into fossil fuels.
e.	Solar flares can impact the Earth’s causing damage to our electrical infrastructure.

Groundwater is an important resource needed to sustain life. Many households rely on wells for their water supply, and farmers use billions of gallons of water everyday to irrigate crops.

Multi-Select Question
Which factors determine how much ground water is stored within an aquifer?
(Select 3 of 5 choices).

a.	Sub-Surface Geology (type of rock layers, porosity, and permeability)
b.	Earth’s Magnetic Field (shields us from harmful solar flares)
c.	Proximity to Volcanoes and other sources of geologic heat (heat rises from the core)
d.	Surface Geology (Elevation, Topography/Terrain)
e.	Amount of Precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc)

10.

The intense heat and pressure at plate boundaries often results in the formation of minerals. One commonly used mineral, copper, is frequently found in deposits in subduction zones.

Locate the subduction zones on the map below.

(Multi-Select Question)
Which of the following plate boundaries would most likely have copper concentrations?
(Select 2 of the 5 choices.)

a.	South American Plate colliding with the Nazca Plate
b.	Pacific Plate colliding with Eurasian Plate
c.	Great Rift Valley in Africa where plates are splitting apart.
d.	The Mid-Atlantic Ridge spreading apart along a massive divergent plate boundary.
e.	Pacific Plate sliding past the North American Plate