Examine how humans interact with the rock cycle, with reference to one of the following:
- Mining
- Extraction of Building Materials
- Oil/Gas Exploitation
- Geothermal Energy Production
Humans interact with the rock cycle through the extraction of building materials, or quarrying. Quarrying is the removal of rock from large pits on the Earth's Surface. It is used to take building materials from the Earth. There are over 400 active quarries in Ireland, eg. Cemex in Tullamore. Solid rock is extracted from these quarries and provides the raw materials needed for roads, houses, paving and floors.
There are 3 different methods of quarrying: plug and feather, explosive and channel. Plug and feather quarrying involves drilling holes into the Earth's Surface to split the rock. It is used to extract large pieces of rock, eg. for floor coverings. Explosive quarrying involves the use of explosives to blast large or small rock fragments from the Earth's Surface. Channel quarrying uses machinery to cut large slabs of rock from the Earth's Surface. It is used for metamorphic rock, eg. marble. The Eiscir Riada is a large quarrying site stretching from Galway to Dublin where each of these methods take place.
Quarrying can have both positive and negative impacts. It employs thousands of people in Ireland, both directly and indirectly. The materials extracted from quarrying can be used in the construction industry. However, quarrying creates visual, noise, dust and water pollution, The heavy machinery needed for quarrying can cause damage to roads and infrastructure. Also, disused quarries scar the natural landscape.
Carrara is a city in Tuscany, Italy that is famous for the marble quarried there. It is pure white marble that has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. It was used by Michelangelo to create the Statue of David. Carrara marble is exported all around the world and has been used in the construction of many famous buildings, such as the Taj Mahal in India. As it is pure white, it is ideal for use in warmer countries as it reflects the light and creates an air of coolness.
Quarrying can have both positive and negative impacts. It employs thousands of people in Ireland, both directly and indirectly. The materials extracted from quarrying can be used in the construction industry. However, quarrying creates visual, noise, dust and water pollution, The heavy machinery needed for quarrying can cause damage to roads and infrastructure. Also, disused quarries scar the natural landscape.
Carrara is a city in Tuscany, Italy that is famous for the marble quarried there. It is pure white marble that has been used since the time of Ancient Rome. It was used by Michelangelo to create the Statue of David. Carrara marble is exported all around the world and has been used in the construction of many famous buildings, such as the Taj Mahal in India. As it is pure white, it is ideal for use in warmer countries as it reflects the light and creates an air of coolness.
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