This general problem is one of the phases of geology which is now receiving a large amount of attention, not only from the standpoint of ore deposition, but from a broader geologic standpoint. In spite of the fact that sedimentary processes of great variety can be observed in operation today, it is yet extremely difficult to infer from a given sedimentary deposit the precise conditions which determined its deposition and limited its distribution. For instance, sedimentary iron formations furnish a large part of the world's iron ore. The surface distribution, the structure, the features of secondary enrichment, are all pretty well understood; likewise the general conditions of sedimentation are reasonably clear,—but the close interpretation of these conditions, to enable us to predict the extent of one of these deposits, or to explain its presence in one place and absence in another, is in an early and sketchy stage.
An understanding of the principles and methods of physiography is also vital to an intelligent application of geology to water resources, to soils, to dam and reservoir construction, and to a great variety of engineering undertakings, but as these subjects involve the application of many other phases of geology, they are considered in separate chapters. (Chapters V, VI, and XX.)
Rock Alterations or Metamorphism
This is one of the newer special phases of geology which for a long time was regarded as the plaything of the petrographer or student of rocks. With the systematic development of the subject, however, it was found that the extremely numerous and complex alterations of rocks and minerals may be definitely grouped, and that they are controlled by broad principles. It became apparent also that these principles apply both to the economic and non-economic minerals and rocks,—in other words, that the segregation of economic minerals is a mere incident in pervasive cycles of the alterations which affect all rocks. Metamorphic geology, therefore, for some geologists becomes a convenient approach to the subject of economic geology. It has the great advantage that it tends to keep all minerals and all processes of ore deposition in proper perspective with relation to rocks and rock processes in general. It is not argued that this is the only approach or that it is the best for all purposes. A brief account of this phase of geology is given in Chapter II.
Application of Other Sciences
Geology is sometimes defined as the application of other sciences to the earth. Considered broadly, there is no phase of science which is not involved in economic geology. In other chapters in this book many references are made to applications of engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, metallurgy, biology, and economics.
At different times and places the requirements for earth materials are quite different. In the Stone Age there was little use for metals; in later ages the use of metals broadened. The multiplicity of demands of modern civilization, the increasing knowledge of processes of metallurgy, chemistry and physics, better transportation, better organization of commercial life, and many other factors, tend to bring new earth materials into use,—and, therefore, into the field of economic geology. A comparatively few years ago alumina, one of the most common and abundant substances of the earth's crust, was in no general demand except for very limited use as an ornament. Little attention was paid to it by economic geologists as a commercial product; now, however, aluminum is in great demand, and the raw materials which produce it have become the subjects of intensive study by economic geologists.