Tag: Geology facts

Iron is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust, accounting for approximately 5% of its total mass. While this is the largest overall source, the biggest source of iron for human nutrition is dietary intake from both animal and plant-based foods. This article delves into the different sources of iron, contrasting global geological abundance with human dietary needs.

Less than 1% of all known mineral species have a discernible taste, and far fewer taste specifically salty. So, do minerals taste salty? Not all of them, but certain soluble minerals with specific chemical compositions, most notably halite, can, though it is a dangerous practice.

Making up roughly 38% of our planet's entire volume, bridgmanite holds the title for what is the world's most abundant mineral. This dense, deep-earth mineral was unknown to science until 2014 and is completely inaccessible from the Earth's surface.

Clay minerals are defined by geologists as having a particle size smaller than 2 micrometers, proving that many minerals are indeed microscopic and not all are visible to the naked eye. In fact, the size of minerals ranges dramatically, from enormous crystals that can be held in hand to tiny particles that require powerful microscopes and advanced scientific techniques for observation.

By definition, a mineral must be a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an ordered internal structure. The question "Which of the following is not true of minerals they are?" often arises in introductory geology, highlighting a common misconception about their fundamental properties.