News

Introduction

By: Alan V. Morgan

It is important to remember that volcanoes are not scattered randomly over the surface of the Earth. They are usually, but not always, located near the margins of the huge lithospheric plates that makeup the Earth's surface. The shapes of volcanic landforms are a reflection of the composition of the lavas that are extruded by the volcano.

By: Peter Van Dreil, Paul F. Karrow and Peter Russell

By: Kristina Anderson

By: Hiroyuki Ii, Faculty of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Japan. Visiting professor at the University of Waterloo in 2001-2002.

By: Maurice B. Dusseault

Summary

The United States reached its peak oil production in 1970. World production of conventional oil*1 will likely peak around 2004-2005, and competition for oil resources will become more intense. Does the United States have reasonable alternatives to increased imports from the Middle East, South America and Africa?

By: Alan V. Morgan

by: Jason Cole

by: Bob Linnen

Introduction

Brazil produces the greatest variety of gems and semi-precious stones in the world, including diamonds, emeralds and amethyst. Mining is very much a part of the Brazilian culture and prospecting is a way of life for many people. If a mineral deposit is found in an area where no exploration license has been granted then prospectors, called garimpeiros, can mine the area using manual tools to extract the minerals. Of course many of the mines in Brazil are modern operations, owned by mining companies, similar to Canada.

by: Peter Russell

In the last issue of Wat on Earth we covered various aspects of tantalum, an important mineral for electronics and other uses for the 21st century. On a recent visit to the quarries owned by AquaRose, the owners were busy with a variety of projects including accessing the potential for a possible tantalum mine. The Rose Quartz deposit is also starting to yield carving and gem quality material.