Minerals are the building blocks of our planet, shaping landscapes, structuring mountains, and creating life itself. However, not all of them are benign; some are extremely hazardous to humans and ...

More than 4,000 naturally occurring minerals—inorganic solids that have a characteristic chemical composition and specific crystal structure—have been found on Earth. They are formed of simple ...

David Bressan is a geologist who covers curiosities about Earth. Rocks and minerals contribute essential raw materials for any civilization, and in a technological society minerals (and the rare ...