California’s Mineral, Energy and Soil Resources

Geology of California Some of the features of the California landscape formed as the result of tectonic processes that took place deep beneath the surface

Subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the NA plate formed pools of magma which turned to igneous rock. Uplift and erosion led to the Sierras.

Subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath the NA plate produced volcanoes, including Shasta and Lassen

Water erosion and glaciers shaped the mountains and valleys. – Rivers that began in the Sierras cut valleys and eventually slowed, leaving sediment. – Deposition of sediment created Mojave Desert and Central Valley

The Central Valley began as an inland sea. Mountains formed on both sides and over a million years, the valley filled in with sediment.

California’s Mineral Resources California’s major mineral resources include sand, gravel, stone, gold, silver, iron and clay.

California Minerals

Industrial Minerals Sand and gravel are most valuable industrial minerals – Used in road building and construction

Metallic Minerals Gold, silver and iron are the major metallic minerals mined in California. – Gold mining still occurs today in the Sierra Nevada, Klamath Mountains and Mojave Desert – Silver is mined in the Sierra Nevada. – Iron is mined in the Mojave Desert

Gold Mine

Mining for gold

Nonmetallic Minerals Three other important mineral resources are borates, gypsum and clay – Borates used for fiberglass, detergents, glass – Gypsum used for wallboard, plaster, cement – Clay used in ceramics, bricks

Gemstones Some gemstones are found in California including: garnet, agate, jade

State Gem=Benitoite

California is a leading producer of energy Oil Natural gas Geothermal energy Wind/Solar

Oil 15% of oil produced in US comes from California Oils wells are on land and offshore

Oil well

Offshore oil well

Natural gas Natural gas often forms along with oil Used for heating, cooking and fuel

Natural gas well

Geothermal Energy Area where magma is close to the surface and heats the groundwater

Geothermal Power Plant

The Geysers Geothermal Powerplant

California’s Soil Resources Soil is one of California’s most important resources – Soils vary with location Central Valley has most fertile soils, used for agriculture, contains over half of California’s farmland

California’s Soil Resources