Using the power of Google Earth, GeoTours take you on flyovers of key locations discussed in the text.
StudySpace student website and ebook icons in each GeoTour connect your to the text and online review materials.
Dialogue boxes accompanying each site include text, figures, photos.
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Geotour 3: Diamond Mines
Diamond Mining
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| 1. We are all very familiar with the beautiful diamonds that adorn jewelry. However, the process by which some of the diamonds are mined is not quite so “beautiful”. Type “Kimberley, South Africa” in the Search panel to fly to a location above Kimberley, South Africa (a region noted for its diamond mines). Zoom closer and explore this area a bit.
Check and double-click the placemarks for Problems 1a-i, -ii, and -iii. Here, we see some of the nastier parts of the diamond mining process. Which feature is misidentified?
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Mineral Reactions after Coal Mining
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| 2. The Kimberley example in Problem 1a may have made you question why the area had not been reclaimed or remediated. We agree wholeheartedly. Sometimes, however, even the best attempts at remediating former mining sites can face challenges.
Check and double-click the placemarks for Problems 2a-i, -ii, and -iii. The area around placemark Problem 2a-i was a former coal strip mine that has been reclaimed. However, minerals like pyrite (FeS2) are commonly associated with coal and have been brought to the surface during the mining process where they can react and chemically weather more readily. Specifically, sulfuric acid is produced as is iron oxide (orange staining). Zoom in on areas 2aii and 2a-iii, then watch the Problem 2a-iii flyover and choose the incorrect statement.
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