Mineral and Energy Resources: Types, Extraction, and Sustainable Management
Mineral and Energy Resources of the Geosphere
The resources of the geosphere can be divided into mineral and energy resources. Among the latter, we will study fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and geothermal energy.
Mineral Resources
Mineral resources constitute a vital resource to sustain industrial activity. Given their non-renewable nature, there is a constant search for new sources as those that have been exploited are depleted.
Types of Deposits
- Deposits of foreign origin are found in sedimentary rocks,
Climate Variations: Urban Centers and Seasonal Changes
Winter Climate
Wintertime typically corresponds to a dry, cold season with clear skies. This is due to the influence of anticyclones. The Azores anticyclone, usually positioned to the south, retreats. However, a seasonal anticyclone often forms at the heart of the Plateau, causing very low temperatures, below 0°C, resulting in frost and morning fog. The Iberian Peninsula may also be affected by other anticyclones, such as those from Central Europe or Siberia. The concentrated cold air in the lower
Read MoreKey Factors Shaping Spain’s Climate and Weather Patterns
Factors that Influence the Weather
1 – Geographical Factors
- Latitude: Spain is located in the southern half of the northern temperate latitudes, with the exception of the Canary Islands, located in the area near the Tropic of Cancer. Due to its latitude, it experiences four seasons. In general, we can say that greater latitude means a lower temperature, as the sun’s rays impinge less directly with increasing latitude.
- Status: The Iberian Peninsula is located between
Rock Formation and Earth’s Climate History
Formation of Rocks
Rocks are formed through various processes:
- Cooling of magma
- Disintegration, transport, and deposition
- Precipitation of inorganic salts in water
- Condensation of gases containing mineral particles
- Deposition of animal and vegetable remains
- Partial or complete recrystallization of minerals in a rock due to high temperatures and pressure
In short, igneous rocks are formed by the crystallization of magma. These rocks may be basic, acidic, or intermediate, depending on their composition, and
Read MorePlate Tectonics and Earth’s Dynamic Processes
1. The Birth of Geosciences
Neptune (Neptune = God of the Sea)
It is a mistaken theory about the origin of rocks, is heir to the design of the downpours. The followers of this theory believe that all rocks (including volcanic) have been formed by a process of sedimentation and crystallization in the primitive seas.
Catastrophism
Explains the formation of fossils and the current shape of our planet by the action of successive and major disasters, sudden and violent, such as the Flood. These originated
Read MoreUnderstanding Lunar and Earth Structures: Key Concepts
Lunar Orbit: The Moon is the Earth’s natural satellite. The Moon orbits the Earth in its own path, which is in the shape of an ellipse, with the Earth being one focus. When the Moon is closer to the Earth, the point on the lunar orbit is called perigee, appearing larger. Conversely, when it is farther away, this position is called apogee.
Moon Phases: The light emitted by the Moon is called Earthshine. This light is generated by the reflection of sunlight on the Moon’s surface, causing the various
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