Earth's natural resources

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Notes de leçon

Where Do Natural Resources Come From?

Natural resources are materials Earth provides that people use, such as coal, copper, oil, and water.
Resources are not spread evenly: some places have plenty of a resource and other places have almost none.
The reason is Earth's geologic past — the rock-forming processes that happened in a place millions of years ago decide what resources can be found there today.
Utah has large coal deposits because ancient swamp plants there were buried and altered into coal; a place with no such swamp history has little or no coal.

Coal seams in layered sedimentary rock

Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

Renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind, and moving water, are replaced fast enough that using them does not use them up.
Non-renewable resources, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and uranium, form so slowly — over millions of years — that a used-up deposit will not be replaced on a human timescale.
A biofuel made from decomposing plant or animal waste (for example, manure producing methane gas) can be renewable, because the waste supply keeps being produced.
Uranium is non-renewable: it is a fixed element mined from rock, not something Earth keeps producing.

Six sources of energy: biofuel, wood, coal, wind, uranium, and hydropower

Mineral and Fossil Fuel Resources Form in Specific Environments

Mineral and fossil fuel resources fall into four main groups: metals (iron, copper, gold, silver...), fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), other minerals (salt, gypsum, gemstones), and building materials (stone, gravel, sand).
Each group forms in a specific kind of geologic setting: metals occur near volcanic, fault, or metamorphic rock, while fossil fuels and evaporite minerals like salt form in sedimentary rock.
Groundwater is not a mineral, but it still depends on geology: it only collects in porous rock — an aquifer — that has spaces between particles for water to fill.

Where Utah's resources form

How Fossil Fuels Form

Coal, oil, and natural gas are called fossil fuels because they form from the buried remains of ancient living things.
Coal forms when plant material in a swamp dies and is buried before it can fully decay, then is compacted and altered by heat and pressure over millions of years.
Oil and natural gas form in a similar way from buried marine organisms, and collect in porous rock deep underground.
Because formation takes millions of years, a fossil fuel deposit that is used up will not be replaced within a human lifetime — this is why fossil fuels are non-renewable.

A natural gas well reaching an underground reservoir

Utah's Geologic Past Explains Its Resources

Utah has a very varied geologic history: volcanic mountains, sedimentary rock laid down in ancient lakes and seas, faults and earthquakes, and metamorphosed rock.
On Utah's geology map, most volcanic (igneous) rock lies in the western half of the state — the same area where Utah's copper and other metal deposits are found.
Most of Utah's sedimentary rock lies in the eastern half of the state — the same area that holds most of Utah's coal and oil, formed where swamps and seas once existed.

Map of Utah's geology, showing rock type and age across the state

Metal Deposits Form Near Volcanic Activity

Utah has long been a major producer of copper and other metals that are associated with volcanic rock.
The Bingham Canyon copper mine sits above rock that cooled from magma deep underground, which concentrated copper as it solidified.
The same pattern appears elsewhere: at Phalaborwa in South Africa, copper and other minerals are mined from the pipe of a volcano that was active about 2 000 million years ago.
Some minerals, such as diamonds, form even deeper — inside a narrow, carrot-shaped body of igneous rock called a kimberlite pipe, under extreme heat and pressure.

Bingham Canyon copper mine, Utah

Groundwater Depends on Geology Too

Water is not a mineral resource, but where it can be found underground still depends on the local geology.
Water only collects in and flows through certain porous rock — rock with tiny connected spaces between its particles.
This kind of water-holding rock layer is called an aquifer; a region without porous rock in its geologic history may have very little accessible groundwater, even if nearby regions have plenty.

Uneven Distribution Around the World

The same pattern that explains Utah's resources repeats worldwide: some countries have many resources available to them, and others have very few.
Large countries tend to have more variety of resources, because more land area usually means more variety in geologic history and rock types.
Oil and natural gas reserves are concentrated in the countries whose rock includes ancient shallow-sea sediments — the source material oil and gas form from — while countries without that geologic history have little or none.

Some of the world's top oil-producing countries

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1.Which of the following is a renewable resource?
Easy
- ACoal
- BSunlight
- CNatural gas
- DCrude oil
2.A resource that takes millions of years to form, such as coal, can be replaced within a human lifetime.
Easy
True or false?
3.Which renewable resource uses moving air to generate electricity?
Easy
- ASolar energy
- BWind energy
- CHydroelectric energy
- DGeothermal energy
4.Fossil fuels are non-renewable because they take millions of years to form from buried remains.
Easy
True or false?
5.Which of these are renewable resources? (Select all that apply)
Easy
- ACoal
- BWind
- CNatural gas
- DSunlight
- ECrude oil
6.Which of these are non-renewable resources? (Select all that apply)
Easy
- ACoal
- BWind
- CNatural gas
- DSunlight
- EUranium
7.Match each energy source with its renewable or non-renewable classification.
Easy
- Wind
- Coal
- Uranium
- Sunshine
- Renewable
- Non-renewable
8.Uranium is renewable because used fuel rods can be recycled.
Easy
True or false?

Plus de questions

9.Complete the sentences about energy resources.
Easy
Coal, natural gas and oil are all examples of ____ energy resources. When they are burned, they release ____. They are also known as ____. Wind and solar energy are examples of ____ energy sources because they ____ be replaced.
10.Biofuel, such as the methane produced by a manure digester, can be renewable mainly because—
Easy
- Ait burns without releasing any gases
- Banimals keep producing waste, so the supply keeps renewing
- Cit forms only in volcanic rock
- Dit takes millions of years to form
11.Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes.
Easy
True or false?
12.Put these steps of coal formation in order, from first to last.
Easy
- Plant material dies and is buried in a swamp before it can fully decay
- Layers of sediment pile up on top and compact the buried plant material
- Heat and pressure act on the buried material over millions of years
- The altered material becomes a layer of coal within sedimentary rock
13.Metal ores such as copper and gold are most often found close to which kind of rock?
Easy
- ASedimentary rock formed in ancient swamps
- BVolcanic (igneous) rock, faults, or metamorphic rock
- CRock formed only from evaporated seawater
- DAny rock type, at the same rate everywhere
14.Coal, oil, and natural gas form almost entirely in which kind of rock?
Easy
- AIgneous rock cooled from magma
- BMetamorphic rock
- CSedimentary rock
- DRock exposed at high elevation
15.Uranium deposits are most often concentrated in sedimentary rock, though some occur in volcanic or metamorphic rock.
Easy
True or false?
16.What is the name for a layer of porous rock that can hold and let water flow through it?
Easy
17.Groundwater collects underground mainly because—
Easy
- Aa region has a rainy climate
- Bcertain rock types are porous and let water fill the spaces between particles
- Call rock holds the same amount of water
- Dwater is pumped in from nearby rivers
18.Diamonds form deep within Earth, under extreme heat and pressure, inside a carrot-shaped body of igneous rock called a—
Medium
- Aan aquifer
- Ba kimberlite pipe
- Ca sedimentary basin
- Da fault line
19.About 2 000 million years ago, an active volcano stood where the Phalaborwa mine in South Africa is today. This history is most likely why the rock there is unusually rich in—
Medium
- Afossil fuels formed from ancient swamps
- Bcopper, phosphate, and other minerals concentrated by volcanic activity
- Cgroundwater trapped by porous sandstone
- Dsalt left behind by an evaporated sea
20.The Phalaborwa open pit mine, dug into that ancient volcanic pipe, is 2 km wide. How many meters wide is that?
Easy
21.On Utah's geology map, most of the volcanic (igneous) rock lies in the western half of the state. Based on this, which resources would you expect to find concentrated there?
Easy
- ACoal and oil
- BCopper and other metals
- CSalt flats only
- DGroundwater only
22.Utah's coal and oil deposits are concentrated in the eastern half of the state, in rock that formed—
Easy
- Afrom cooled volcanic lava
- Bin ancient swamps and seas as sedimentary rock
- Cfrom metamorphosed mountain rock
- Devenly across every rock type
23.California has very little coal partly because it lacks the ancient-swamp geologic history that produced Utah's coal.
Easy
True or false?
24.Comparing Utah's coal resource map to its geologic age map, most coal deposits line up with rock from which period?
Medium
- APrecambrian
- BCambrian
- CCretaceous
- DQuaternary
25.Using the two maps, explain why Utah's coal is found only in certain parts of the state and not spread evenly across it.
Medium
26.Large countries such as the United States or Russia tend to have a wider variety of natural resources than very small countries mainly because—
Easy
- Athey have more people searching for resources
- Bmore land area usually means more variety in geologic history and rock types
- Cthey trade more with other countries
- Dtheir governments own more land
27.Which statement best explains why some countries have large oil reserves and neighboring countries have almost none?
Medium
- AOil is deposited evenly everywhere, but some governments hide it
- BOil only forms in countries with a warm climate today
- COil forms from ancient marine life in rock laid down under past seas, and that rock only exists in some places
- DEvery country has equal oil, but only some countries drill for it
28.The map shows a town's water reservoir, in a valley with rivers running through it. Which explanation correctly links a past geologic process to the water resources found here?
Medium
- AThe reservoir holds so much water only because of heavy rain and land uplift in the last 1000 years
- BThe rivers that feed the reservoir were carved by long-term erosion of the land, and those same rivers are the reservoir's main water source
- CThe valley and reservoir re-form every year from melting snow, with no connection to older geology
- DWater is distributed equally throughout the county because of past mountain-building from plate motion
29.The map shows the land that became Oklahoma and Massachusetts about 90 million years ago. Which explanation best accounts for why Oklahoma has more oil and natural gas than Massachusetts today?
Medium
- APart of Massachusetts was once covered by plant life, but Oklahoma was not
- BPart of Massachusetts was once covered by large rocks, but Oklahoma was not
- CPart of Oklahoma was once covered by fresh water, but Massachusetts was not
- DPart of Oklahoma was once covered by shallow oceans, but Massachusetts was not
30.Complete the sentence with the correct term.
Easy
Coal, natural gas, and oil are all examples of ____ energy resources.
31.Because fossil fuels take millions of years to form, a deposit used up today will not be replaced during a person's lifetime.
Easy
True or false?
32.If a country runs out of a mineral resource, geologic processes can quickly form more within a few decades.
Easy
True or false?
33.Which of these is a renewable resource that is not powered directly by sunlight falling on a panel or wind turning a blade?
Medium
- ACoal
- BHydropower (moving water)
- CNatural gas
- DUranium
34.Salt and gypsum deposits form when—
Easy
- Alava cools and crystallizes
- Bwater evaporates and leaves dissolved minerals behind
- Cplants are buried and compressed
- Dwind erodes exposed rock
35.Which of these would you expect to find in volcanic or metamorphic rock rather than in sedimentary rock?
Easy
- ACoal
- BNatural gas
- CGold
- DOil shale
36.Give one example of a fossil fuel.
Easy
37.A geologist compares the age and type of rock in two regions to predict where oil might be found underground. This is possible because—
Medium
- Aoil is scattered randomly everywhere
- Boil only forms in rock of a specific type and age, from ancient shallow seas
- Coil forms instantly wherever a well is drilled
- Devery rock type contains oil in equal amounts
38.Match each resource to the geologic environment where it usually forms or collects.
Medium
- Metals
- Fossil fuels
- Salt and gypsum
- Groundwater
- Near volcanic or metamorphic rock
- Sedimentary rock, from buried organic matter
- Sedimentary rock, left behind as water evaporates
- Porous rock (an aquifer)
39.Water is a mineral resource because it is a solid natural compound formed by geological processes, the same way ores are.
Easy
True or false?
40.Which best explains why natural resources are not distributed evenly across Earth?
Easy
- AGovernments choose where to put resources
- BEvery location has experienced the exact same geologic history
- CDifferent places have had different geologic histories, so different rocks and resources formed there
- DResources move around underground until they even out

Notes de révision

## Earth's Natural Resources — Night-Before-Exam Notes ### What Are Natural Resources? Natural resources are materials from nature used with little modification. They include sunlight, air, water, land, minerals, vegetation, and wildlife. Every man-made product comes from natural resources. ### Key Classification #### By Origin - **Biotic**: From living things (e.g., forests, fish, fossil fuels like coal & petroleum). - **Abiotic**: From non-living things (e.g., water, air, metals, rare-earth elements). #### By Renewability - **Renewable**: Can be replenished naturally. Examples: solar, wind, water. *Rate of use must be ≤ rate of replenishment.* - **Non-renewable**: Formed over millions of years; cannot be renewed quickly. Examples: fossil fuels, minerals. Once used, they are gone (except metals can be recycled). #### By Stage of Development - **Potential**: Known but not yet used (e.g., oil in rocks not yet drilled). - **Actual**: Surveyed and currently used. - **Reserves**: Part of actual resource that can be profitably extracted in future. - **Stocks**: Surveyed but not usable due to lack of technology (e.g., hydrogen as fuel). #### By Ownership - **Individual**: Privately owned (e.g., a farm). - **Community**: Shared by a community (e.g., a pond). - **National**: Belongs to a nation (e.g., minerals within borders). - **International**: Regulated by global bodies (e.g., international waters). ### Why Does Distribution Matter? Resources are **unevenly distributed** due to past geologic processes. This leads to economic and political conflicts, especially when resources become scarce. Overconsumption causes depletion and environmental damage. ### Sustainability - **Sustainable Development Goals** promote responsible use. - **Circular economy** reduces extraction by reusing, recycling, and relying on renewables. - Key idea: Use renewable resources at a rate they can be replenished; conserve non-renewables. ### Quick Facts - Fossil fuels are **biotic** (from decayed organisms) but **non-renewable**. - Metals are **abiotic** and can be recycled; coal and petroleum cannot. - Renewable ≠ unlimited; overuse can deplete them (e.g., overfishing).

Natural resource: Materials from nature used with little modification, including sunlight, air, water, land, minerals, vegetation, and wildlife.
Renewable resource: A resource that can be replenished naturally at a rate equal to or greater than consumption (e.g., solar, wind, water).
Non-renewable resource: A resource that forms over geological time scales and cannot be renewed quickly once depleted (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals).
Biotic resource: A resource that originates from living organisms or their remains (e.g., forests, fish, fossil fuels).
Abiotic resource: A resource that comes from non-living, inorganic materials (e.g., water, air, metals, rare-earth elements).
Potential resource: A known resource that has not yet been used (e.g., untapped oil deposits).
Actual resource: A resource that has been surveyed, quantified, and is currently being used.
Reserve: The portion of an actual resource that can be profitably extracted in the future.
Stock: A resource that has been surveyed but cannot be used due to lack of technology (e.g., hydrogen as fuel).
Sustainable development: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, often involving responsible resource use.

Cartes mémo

What are natural resources?

Natural resources are materials from nature used by humans with little modification, including sunlight, water, air, land, minerals, vegetation, and wildlife.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally at a rate that keeps up with consumption (e.g., solar, wind). Non-renewable resources form over millions of years and are consumed faster than they are replenished (e.g., fossil fuels, minerals).

Give two examples of biotic resources.

Biotic resources come from living things: forests (timber) and fisheries (fish). Fossil fuels like coal are also biotic because they come from decayed organic matter.

Give two examples of abiotic resources.

Abiotic resources come from non-living material: water and metal ores (e.g., iron, copper).

What are potential resources?

Potential resources are known to exist but are not yet used, like petroleum trapped in sedimentary rocks that hasn't been extracted.

What are actual resources?

Actual resources have been surveyed, quantified, and are currently being used, such as wood that is harvested for lumber.

What are reserves?

Reserves are the part of an actual resource that can be profitably developed in the future.

What are stocks?

Stocks are resources that have been surveyed but cannot be used yet due to lack of technology, like hydrogen for vehicles.

Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?

Fossil fuels take millions of years to form from decayed organic matter, so they are consumed much faster than they are replenished.

Can metallic minerals be recycled?

Yes, metallic minerals like iron and copper can be recycled, but coal and petroleum cannot be recycled.

What is an example of a continuously available renewable resource?

Solar energy is continuously available and its quantity is not noticeably affected by human consumption.

Why is groundwater considered a resource that is unevenly distributed?

Groundwater distribution depends on past geologic processes like rock porosity and aquifer formation, so some regions have abundant groundwater while others have little.

What causes the uneven distribution of mineral resources?

Mineral deposits form through specific geologic processes (e.g., volcanic activity, sedimentation) that occur only in certain locations, leading to uneven distribution.

What are individual resources?

Individual resources are privately owned, such as a person's house, plantation, or pond.

What are community resources?

Community resources are accessible to all members of a community, like a cemetery or a public park.

What are national resources?

National resources belong to the nation and include minerals, forests, and wildlife within the country's borders and exclusive economic zone.

What are international resources?

International resources are regulated by international organizations, such as international waters.

How can overuse affect renewable resources?

Even renewable resources can be depleted if consumption exceeds the rate of natural replenishment, e.g., overfishing or deforestation.

What is the role of technology in resource classification?

Technology determines whether a resource is a stock (not yet usable) or an actual resource (currently usable).

Why are natural resources often a source of conflict?

Uneven distribution and scarcity can lead to economic and political disputes within and between countries, especially during shortages.

What is the circular economy?

The circular economy is an economic model that reduces resource extraction by focusing on reuse, recycling, and renewable resources.

Give an example of a resource that is both biotic and non-renewable.

Fossil fuels like coal are biotic (from decayed organisms) and non-renewable because they take millions of years to form.

What is the difference between a potential resource and a reserve?

A potential resource is known but not used; a reserve is part of an actual resource that can be profitably developed in the future.

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