THE IMPORTANCE OF RADIOACTIVITY IN GEOSCIENCE AND MINING

Almost simultaneously with Roentgen rays, natural radioactivity was di scovered. Its investigation led to important fundamentals of the geosc iences: petrophysics, terrestrial heat flow, isotope geology, and abso lute geological chronology. In applied geophysics and geology, explora tion of radioactive ores and of tectonic faults, and radiometric well leggings, are used. Production of radioactive water and mining for ura nium ores are discussed, including their development (especially in th e Saxon ore mountains) and the consequences on health (radon in underg round air and houses). Disposal of radioactive waste is touched on bri efly.