The diagram below shows the distribution of past gold and mercury mines in the state of California. Mines are built in locations with large deposits of a particular resource.

Question

Image courtesy of USGS

As can be inferred from the diagram, gold and mercury are unequally deposited in California. What can be concluded based on this unequal distribution of resources?
A.
California experienced very few geologic changes in the past.
B.
Different geologic processes must have occurred in different parts of California in the past.
C.
The location of natural resources in California cannot be predicted based on past geologic processes.
D.
The same geologic processes must have occurred in all parts of California in the past.

Answer 1

Based on the unequal distribution of gold and mercury mines in California, the most logical conclusion is:

B. Different geologic processes must have occurred in different parts of California in the past.

This conclusion follows because the presence of significant deposits of these minerals indicates that distinct geological conditions and processes, such as volcanic activity, sedimentation, or tectonic movements, would have contributed to their formation in specific areas rather than uniformly across the state.