lecture 21: plate tectonics and natural resources

what are the main steps of the wilson cycle (rock cycle)

1. continental rifting of a supercontinent 2. ocean opening and formation of oceanic crust 3. oceanic crust subduction 4. closure of the ocean 5. continental collision

what is continental craton

cold and stable part of the continental lithosphere

what are the minerals associated with felsic igneous rocks

copper-gold-molybdenum deposits, tin-tungsten deposits, rare earth element deposits

what are the two driving forces of plate tectonics

mantle convection and plate density contrast

what are the minerals associated with mafic/ultramafic igneous rocks

nickel, copper, platinum group elements, chromium, diamond

what are the minerals associated with metamorphic rocks

ruby, sapphire, jade (gemstones), and gold deposits

what are the minerals associated with sedimentary rocks

uranium deposits, lead-zinc, aluminum, nickel, plater deposits of diamond, gold