Natural resources are distributed around the world. One of the main influences that affects the distribution of resources is plate tectonics. Near plate boundaries, the crust is moving and brings up minerals that are deeper in the crust. For example, when volcanoes erupt, minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and nitrates are added to the soil, creating fertile land that is used for agriculture. In addition, other minerals can be found near current or past plate boundaries in the form of . Minerals, such as aluminum, copper and gold are non-renewable resources. When mineral deposits are found, they can be mined. These mineral deposits can be found by plate boundaries because they are brought to the surface through For example, California is known to have mineral ore deposits of gold. People rushed to the area in the 1840's and 1850's to pan for the mineral in streams. This mineral appears because weathered and eroded the sediments, exposing the mineral near the surface. Because the mineral was so heavy, it was deposited often downstream of boulders.