These include the cooling of magma, the evaporation of ancient seas, the pressure and heat of tectonic plates, and the slow percolation of groundwater through rock. Induced Processes A key aspect of the definition is the absence of intentional induction.
Cooling Magma, Evaporation of Ancient Seas, and Earth's Pressure
The strict definition excludes anything where the final structure is primarily the result of deliberate chemical assembly by humans. The material remains a naturally occurring mineral in terms of its chemical origin, but its form is heavily modified.
Defining naturally occurring in the context of mineral formation requires a precise understanding of the boundaries between the inorganic processes of the Earth and the interventions of human activity. The Geological Definition of Natural Formation The core of the definition lies in the agency of formation.
Cooling Magma, Evaporation of Ancient Seas, and Pressure
The pressure and temperature conditions deep within the Earth create the recipe, but the passage of time allows the mineral to grow to a macro scale. Mining extracts naturally occurring minerals, but subsequent crushing, grinding, and chemical treatment alter their physical state.
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