Copper and Coal Deposits in Utah

Question

Copper and coal are two of Utah’s most abundant natural resources. Both copper and coal are products of geological processes. Copper deposits form near subduction zones, where liquid copper separates from magma and solidifies in the cracks of igneous rocks. Over time, weathering, erosion, and uplift can cause the copper to become exposed. Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from carbon-rich, decomposed plant material. Coal is known to originate from shallow marine environments with an abundance of plant life and loose sediment. The plant matter becomes coal over the course of millions of years, after long exposure to extreme heat and pressure. All coal on Earth is between 60 million to 300 million years old. The map shows the locations of copper mines, coal deposits, and present-day tectonic plate boundaries in the Western United States.



Two-Part Question

Multiple Choice Question

The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A:

Paleogeographic maps are used to show what Earth would have looked like millions of years ago. Which map could be used to best explain the origin of coal in Utah?

A. 



B. 



C. 



D. 



Multiple Choice Question

Part B:

How does the map provide evidence of the origin of coal in Utah?

A. 

The map shows a time when Utah contained a coastal ecosystem.

B. 

The map shows a time when Utah had many mountains in the area.

C. 

The map shows a time when Utah laid on two separate tectonic plates. 

D. 

The map shows a time when Utah experienced weathering and erosion.

Answer 1

Part A:

To determine which paleogeographic map best explains the origin of coal in Utah, we should look for a map that depicts shallow marine environments with abundant plant life. This is where the conditions for coal formation, such as decomposed plant materials, would have existed.

Without being able to see the maps (A, B, C, D) described in the question, correlating them directly to the known geological conditions for coal would be impossible. However, you should choose the map that indicates a lush, coastal or deltaic region with abundant vegetation.

Part B:

Once the appropriate map has been identified, answering Part B requires examining the reasoning behind its selection. The most suitable choice would likely be:

A. The map shows a time when Utah contained a coastal ecosystem.

This option directly supports the idea that the environment was conducive to the accumulation of plant material, which is essential for coal formation.