How Processes tectonics act to make metal and mineral
The plate tectonic process has contributed to the restructuring of the earth continents leading to the emergence of minerals and metals. Geologist holds that the underlying movement of plate tectonic is as a result of the flow within the mantle. This makes the warm rocks to rises up while denser rocks capsize down (Kearey, Brooks & Hill, 2002). The driving force of the rocks is attributed to the seduction of the heavier oceanic lithosphere found within the mantle. On the contrary, the cold oceanic lithosphere capsizes down in the mantle as the hot plumes lead to the transfer of heat towards the earth’s surface (Tarbuck & Lutgens, 2012).
The movement or transfer of buoyant plumes towards the earth’s surface leads to the mixing of chemicals that lead to the formation of magma and minerals. Additionally, the tectonic process contributing to the mineral formation may be expressed based on three plate boundaries. These boundaries include divergent, convergent, and transformation boundaries (Kearey, Brooks & Hill, 2002). At transformation boundaries, two plates diverge away from each other. This divergence causes new materials from the mantle to come up, leading to the formation of new plate materials. On the contrary, the convergent boundary, also known as destructive boundaries, occurs as a result of the movement of plates towards each other. In this case, less dense plates are forced underneath. Normally, those plates contain some oceanic crust or continental crust. The collision of continental crust with the continental plates leads to the formation of mountain ranges where rocks and minerals are found (Kearey, Brooks & Hill, 2002).
Also, the plate tectonic process provides a substantial basis for understanding how the igneous process occurs, leading to the production of mineral resources such as silver, copper, mercury, lead, platinum, and nickel (Tarbuck & Lutgens, 2012). The igneous process occurs when magma cools at different temperatures leading to the production of minerals. Additionally, the contact of metamorphism leads to the formation of metallic minerals such as galena, magnetite, and sphalerites. However, these materials may be subjected to alteration into chalks and graphite at a higher temperature and pressure (Tarbuck & Lutgens, 2012).
Apart from this, the plate tectonic movement leads to the emergence of volcanoes and earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions lead to the formation of gases and water. This happens when the mantle rocks melt, leading to the formation of basaltic rock materials. These materials lead to the creation of silica-rich magma that contains water and gases (Tarbuck & Lutgens, 2012).
Ways in which human beings have altered the planet, including climate change
Human activities have changed the climate. For instance, excessive release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by individuals and factories has led to the destruction of the ozone layer. This has further led to global warming (Epstein, Ferber & Sachs, 2011). Additionally, global warming has been blamed for the rise in temperatures leading to the drying of wetlands. The deforestation and release of poisonous gases in to the atmosphere have led to the destruction of natural habitats such as the ocean, lakes, and rivers. This has lead to the massive death of sea animals. Additionally, overpopulation has lead to the overconsumption of limited natural resources that the planet offers. This has lead to an increase in food insecurity (Epstein, Ferber & Sachs, 2011).
Composition of the solar system, similarities, and differences between planets
The solar system is composed of various planets, stars such as the sun, comet, meteorites, asteroids, and interplanetary dust and gas (Barucci, 2008). The nine planets are classified into two categories: Terrestrial planets and Jovian planets. Terrestrial planets consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. However, the Jovian planets include Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (Barucci, 2008). Apart from the planets, the solar system consists of other bodies such as meteoroids that appear in the sky at night and asteroids that move between orbit Mars and Jupiter.
In terms of similarities, the inner and outer planets are similar in the sense that all planets are made up of matter and a gaseous form of atmosphere. Also, the shape of both outer and inner planets is spherical and has some gravity. The planets can be related in that they form part of the solar system. In addition to this, both Terrestrial and Jovian planets move around the orbit of the sun. Also, storms are usually anticipated in both planets (De & Lissauer, 2010).
However, despite the similarities, both Terrestrial and Jovian planets have some underlying discrepancies. The two categories of planets differ in terms of size, mass, density, rotation, and distance from the sun. They are also different in terms of magnetic fields (De & Lissauer, 2010). In terms of size, the Jovian planets are much larger as compared to terrestrial planets. However, despite the Jovian planet having a greater size, they rotate faster than Terrestrial planets. Additionally, the Jovian planets are significantly massive as compared to Terrestrial planets. The average density of Terrestrial planets is higher than that of liquid water. On the contrary, the density of the Jovian planets is equal to that of liquid water. The discrepancy in density may be attributed to the presence of metal and rocks within the Jovian planets (Barucci, 2008). It can also be noted that the magnetic field of Jovian planets is stronger than that of the Terrestrial planets. Therefore, this also brings a significant discrepancy between the two categories of planets.
References
Barucci, M. A. (2008). The solar system beyond Neptune. Tucson: University of Arizona Press.
De, P. I., & Lissauer, J. J. (2010). Planetary sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Epstein, P. R. M. D., Ferber, D., & Sachs, J. (2011). Changing Planet, Changing Health: How the Climate Crisis Threatens Our Health and What We Can Do about It. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Kearey, P., Brooks, M., & Hill, I. (2002). An introduction to geophysical exploration. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science.
Tarbuck, E. J., & Lutgens, F. K. (2012). Earth science. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice Hall/Pearson.