A CAROLINA ESSENTIALS INVESTIGATION

The Relationship Between Geoscience Processes and Mineral Distribution

Total Time

Earth and Space Science

Grade Level

6-8 Middle School

Introduction

Minerals are naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical composition and an ordered atomic arrangement. This unique structure gives many minerals a crystalline shape. Minerals are inorganic, meaning that they are not made up of carbon chains but are usually a metal combined with a nonmetal or polyatomic ion. Minerals are grouped by their chemical composition and include silicates, oxides, sulfates, sulfides, carbonates, native elements, and halides. Generally, minerals have economic value and are used commercially in many manufactured products. Minerals are obtained through a variety of mining processes, and many can be recycled, reclaimed, and reused to minimize the impact on Earth’s natural resources. This is a short activity that uses a series of USGS maps to allow students to visually establish the relationships between tectonic boundaries, geologic features such as volcanoes and earthquakes, and mineral deposits. Once relationships are established, students will develop an explanation for the uneven distribution of mineral resources.

Physical Map of the World

Map of Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Essential Question

What is the relationship between global mineral deposit distributions and geoscience processes?

Activity Objectives:

Explain the distribution of major global mineral deposits and critical mineral deposits.
Explain the relationship between mineral deposits and geologic processes.

Next Generation Science Standards* (NGSS)

PE: MS-ESS3-1. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distribution of Earth’s mineral, energy,and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes.

SCIENCE & ENGINEERING PRACTICES

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

DISCIPLINARY CORE IDEA

ESS3.A: Natural Resources

CROSSCUTTING CONCEPTS

Cause and Effect

Materials Needed

Recommended Safety

No PPE required. No disposal precautions.

Teacher Prep and Disposal

Copy or upload the student activity sheets. If time is a concern, you may wish to pre-cut the tissue paper, copy paper strips, and card stock. Models can be saved for additional classes or the materials can be recycled.

Student Procedures

1. 1. Place all of the maps in a group on your desk. You need to see all the maps so you can compare them.
  2. On the volcanoes and earthquakes map, sketch where you think the tectonic plate boundaries are located.
  3. Use a “D” for divergent (pulling apart) and a “C” for convergent (colliding) to label the plate boundaries.
  4. Use the volcanoes and earthquakes map as a reference and repeat steps 2 and 3 for both mineral maps.
  5. On both mineral maps, shade in the locations of major mountain ranges.

Teacher Preparation and Tips

You may want to make copies of the 3 maps and laminate them to serve as resources for additional activities.
Review types of plate boundaries with students. Use the “Dynamic Earth: Plate Tectonics” map as a reference, if needed.

As an extension, assign each student a major mineral and critical mineral and report on the following items:
- Mineral uses
- Mineral value
- Is the mineral found pure or as an ore?
- If the mineral is found as an ore, how is it processed?
- Can the mineral be recycled/reclaimed? If so, how is it reclaimed?
- Identify the mineral location on the maps.

Data and Observations

Data and Observations
	Land Plant	Aquatic Plant
Shape of leaf	Will vary	Oval and thick or spongy
Number of leaves	Will vary	Probably 2 or 4
Color of leaves	Green	Green
Where roots are attached	Will vary	One per leaf
Number of roots	Will vary	One per leaf
Color of roots	White to cream	White to cream
Shape of stem	Will vary	No stem visible
How leaves are attached to stem	Attached by another short stem, the petiole	N/A
Color of stem	May vary, usually green	N/A
Shape of plant	Taller than broad	Broader than tall
Other observations	Will vary–students should note leaf veins	Will vary

Analysis and Discussion

In 2–3 sentences, describe the distribution of minerals worldwide and how the distribution is associated with geoscience processes like mountain formation, earthquakes, volcanoes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Mineral deposits are found worldwide but are not equally distributed. Deposits seem to clump in the mountain ranges. Most of the mountain ranges appear to be on or close to convergent plate boundaries and volcanoes.
Explain, based on evidence, how the uneven distribution of Earth’s mineral resources is the result of past and current geoscience processes.

The evidence shows that mineral deposits are found worldwide but are not equally distributed. Deposits are found mostly in mountain ranges on or close to convergent plate boundaries and volcanoes. As colliding plates subduct and are uplifted, minerals are ejected by volcanic eruptions, crystalized in magma tubes, or brought nearer the surface through uplift and folding. Mineral deposits are not found in places where these geologic processes do not occur. Greenland, the Sahara Desert, and a large part of China are examples.

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Great for small groups or for students who are learning at home!
Of all the naturally occurring metals, copper is one of the most useful and versatile.

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*Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.