The Importance Of The Geologic Cycle

1. Introduction

The geologic cycle is a term used to describe the complex interactions between the different sub cycles of other process such as tectonic, hydrological, rock and biogeochemical cycle.

These various sub cycles sometimes interact to cause natural disasters such as landslides, earthquakes and volcanic activity (Slideshare Online).

As the geologic cycle consists on several complex interactions between different sub cycles as mentioned above, each sub cycle has its own unique impact on the environment.

2. Environmental Impacts resulting from sub cycles associated with the geologic cycle: 2.1 The rock cycle

The Geologic cycle also describes the rock cycle. All rock materials are formed from under the earth’s surface from igneous rocks.

These cycles together are known as biogeochemical cycles as they include, geological, chemical and biological processes. Biogeochemical cycles are responsible for transporting and storing important elements that are key component of life. Biogeochemical cycles have been subject to anthropogenic disturbances, e.g. the carbon cycle has been altered by abstracting and combusting millions of tonnes of hydrocarbons within the earth’s crust and thereby clearing vegetation that stores carbon. Nitrogen cycles and phosphorus cycles have also be disturbed by the addition of fertilizers to crops and the over fertilisation of aquatic ecosystems due to the run off of fertilizer into the waterways. (The Environmental Literacy Council Online)

Cities also play a role in disrupting the biogeochemical cycle as more people now live in urban areas than the country side. As the population densities in these areas increase so too does the energy use, waste and materials thereby transforming the natural cycles.

3. Conclusion

The geologic cycle consists of the interaction of other sub cycles in order to maintain life on earth. By going through each summary, we can see that each cycle has its own role to play

The rock cycle from which rock is both created and destroyed both produces and reduces carbon emissions. Tectonic activity which is a part of the rock cycle produces its own set of environmental impacts and disasters, again contributing to carbon emissions. Climate change itself has an impact on the carbon cycle, both increasing and decreasing it. Climate change as a result of these cycles comes with its very own environmental impacts. If you would notice, increased global temperatures, water shortages, habitat loss, sea level rise, contamination of water quality and loss of quantity has all been mentioned within each of the sub cycles above.

Each cycle has to be kept within perfect balance should we want to avoid anthropogenically induces environmental impact. The trend being that these sub cycles have been impacted upon by anthropogenic activities related to modern environmental impacts. Needless to say that these cycles find balance sometimes resulting in natural disasters leading to social impacts. Since these sun cycles are inter linked, an imbalance in one cycle could throw the others into imbalance as well. We have always focused on cycle at time, without viewing the