The importance of radioactivity in geoscience and mining

Almost simultaneously with Roentgen rays, natural radioactivity was discovered. Its investigation led to important fundamentals of the geosciences: petrophysics, terrestrial heat flow, isotope geology, and absolute geological chronology. In applied geophysics and geology, exploration of radioactive ores and of tectonic faults, and radiometric well loggings, are used. Production of radioactive water and mining for uranium ores are discussed, including their development (especially in the Saxon ore mountains) and the consequences on health (radon in underground air and houses). Disposal of radioactive waste is touched on briefly.