California Gold Rush Analysis

This week school of natural science instructor, Peggy O’ Days briefly outlined the California gold rush and the effects of mining. First, she outlined the geography of California with an emphasis on the tectonic plates. She mentioned that the tectonic plates offer a hot bed of minerals that through time make mineral deposits on land. O’ Days mentioned the different ways mineral deposits are created, but did not thoroughly explain the process. Additionally, she gave a brief history of the year 1848. This year was when gold was first discovered in a California which led to the gold rush in 1849. She made it clear that the presence of gold in California was vital to gaining its statehood and building a strong economy. Furthermore, O’ Days outlined the mining laws of …show more content…
Fracking is a type of meaning in which highly pressurized water is injected into the ground to force out natural gas. Mooney refers to the new methods of fracking as a gas rush expedition. He elaborates that fracking requires millions of gallons of chemically treated water to attain the natural gas. However, whereas the government strongly supported for the mining of minerals during the gold rush, the gas rush is a highly controversial practice. The controversy over fracking arises over the massive water contamination. Although 75% of the water used in fracking is usually reused; fracking also creates unexpected water contamination. Despite the idea that fracking contaminates our water, Mooney reports that it is an indeterminate claim and water contamination most likely be attributed to faulty cementing. Lastly, Mooney explains that more research needs to be done before fracking is dismissed as a water contaminant. He urges the EPA to monitor the chemicals in water to determine the amount of contamination. Meanwhile, fracking regulators are allowing for the mining of naturals gas despite of the inconclusive studies behind