While researching about tectonic plates and boundaries in Ireland this week, I have discovered that Ireland is located on the Eurasion plate. Since Ireland is considered an island and is surrounded mostly by water, it is considered to be located in a subduction zone. A subduction zone is when oceanic plates meet a continental plate and become pushed underneath it. Ireland is relatively close to the North American boundary only to be separated by water. While researching, I found that the Eurasion plate is susceptible to a lot of earthquakes.
http://www.askaboutireland.ie
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
Rocks and Minerals in Ireland
Although Ireland is reletively small it has a diverse geology that has a good range of mineral deposits. Since 1960, 14 Zinc-lead deposits have been discovered. Ireland is ranked first in the world in terms of zinc that has been discovered by km^2, and second to lead. Zinc-lead ores are also currently exploited from two other underground operations in south-central Ireland: Lisheen and Galmoy. 
In addition to metal mining, Ireland has a long heritage of coal and mineral mining. The minerals "gypsum" and "brick shale" are currently worked from open pit operations in Co. Cavan, while "dolomite" and "fireclay" two other minerals are utilized from two different places in Co. Kilkenny. Other industrial minerals that have been found recently in Ireland include barite, dimension stone, phosphate, silica sand and slate. During the 80's, Ireland was one of the top 5 producers of "barite" in the world.
Today, because of such high demand for road and building construction in Ireland, the mining industry is extremely busy. Sand, rock, and gravel are exploited from over 400 sites in Ireland.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Hazard's, Disaster's, and Catastrophe's are terms that we use to describe natural processes. Natural Processes include things such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and fires. However, the three processes all have slightly different meanings.
A natural hazard is a natural process that is a threat to humans or their property. For example, a fallen tree has hit a telephone wire, and is laying across a road.
A disaster occurs over a limited time span within a certain area or place. Something is considered a disaster when 1 of 4 things occur, 10 or more people are killed, 100 or more people are affected by it, a state of emergency is declared, or assistance is requested by law enforcement. An example of a disaster could be 9/11.
A catastrophe is a massive disaster that requires a lot of money and time to fix (often years). Hurricane Katrina was considered the worlds biggest catastrophe ever, which flooded New Orleans and affected the lives of thousands.
Natural hazards affect the lives of millions of people around the world. All areas of the US are at risk for at least one hazard. No area is considered "hazard free" and everyone around the world should take precautions to avoid something tragic.
A natural hazard is a natural process that is a threat to humans or their property. For example, a fallen tree has hit a telephone wire, and is laying across a road.
A disaster occurs over a limited time span within a certain area or place. Something is considered a disaster when 1 of 4 things occur, 10 or more people are killed, 100 or more people are affected by it, a state of emergency is declared, or assistance is requested by law enforcement. An example of a disaster could be 9/11.
A catastrophe is a massive disaster that requires a lot of money and time to fix (often years). Hurricane Katrina was considered the worlds biggest catastrophe ever, which flooded New Orleans and affected the lives of thousands.
Natural hazards affect the lives of millions of people around the world. All areas of the US are at risk for at least one hazard. No area is considered "hazard free" and everyone around the world should take precautions to avoid something tragic.
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