Periods of mountain building have created a network of faults and fractures into which gold, diamonds, rubies and graphite have been deposited. Rifting associated with the creation of the Atlantic Ocean basin 200m years ago formed sedimentary basins capable of storing oil and gas. And throughout time volcanic episodes have deposited the rare-earth elements, upon which so many hi-tech items depend. About 80% of Greenland is blanketed in a thick sheet of ice, but a warming world will start to make resources more accessible. Arguments will be made as to why these resources should be plundered, but such a move would cost Greenland dear.