Why is Antarctica said to be potentially rich in minerals??

Question

Eh..well...this is my homework...

I searched on Google...but I could not find an appropriate answer.

Please help me!

Thank you!

Answer 1

It's because Geologists have done pattern analysis of the region and found traits similar to other parts of the world where there are rich mineral deposits.  The problem (as already stated) is that the area is largely uninhabitable which makes getting the minerals out very cost prohibitive.  You would essentially have to build a domed city to operate a mining camp inside of.  Until they can use robots that is.  :)

Answer 2

the previous answers could be helpful and i agree with all of what they said. also, maybe, because of its geologic history. it is once part of Gondwana, a large continent millions of years ago. and the Gondwana land have large amounts of sandstones, limestones and shales during its Paleozoic era around 500-250 million years ago. and also, the believed part of Antarctica in the Gondwana is said to be inhabited by lots of Permian species. the Permian extinction could have deposited too much fossils in the lands of Antarctica that is why it could be possible to be rich in natural resources and minerals also.  

Answer 3

Seismic exploration shows that there were once vast rivers and lakes in what is now Antarctica.  The tundra has basically preserved this as the land is basically uninhabitable.

Answer 4

Antarctica was once connected to South Africa and Australia as part of Gondwanaland as such it shares a lot of its geology with those mineral rich countries, it certainly has many of those minerals. What is stopping mining at the moment is an international agreement banning mining.

Not far from the Australian station of Davis it is possible to find garnets just laying on the ground, in an area called the Larsman Hills which is a dry valley 15km by 50km wide there are many such dry ice free (in summer) areas around the coast of Antarctica, also in the Larsman Hills is Marine Plain, at which over the last 20 years many fossils have been found of both plants, trees and marine life like dolphins.