Final answer:
The nonmetallic, yellowish-brown to dark brown mineral with an earthy luster and yellowish-brown streak likely corresponds to a form of iron oxide such as limonite. Depositional environment and flowchart aids such as Figure 2.5 and Figure 2.9 are utilized in determining the mineral's identity based on its observable properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The description provided suggests the need to identify a nonmetallic, yellowish-brown to dark brown mineral with a yellowish-brown streak and an earthy luster. This could correspond to a variety of minerals, depending on other properties such as hardness, density, and crystal structure.
The mention of an earthy luster indicates a non-metallic, dull appearance, common among minerals such as limonite or goethite, which can have yellowish to dark brown hues.
When examining the depositional environment based on rock color, we observe that black, dark gray, red, orange, brown, and yellow colors can indicate different conditions during the formation of the rocks. For instance, a yellow-brown streak might be associated with oxidized environments, which could lead to the presence of iron oxides like limonite.
The provided flowcharts and illustrations, including Figure 2.5 and Figure 2.9, serve as guides to narrow down the possibilities based on a mineral's properties. These resources typically detail steps to follow when observing color, hardness, density, and other distinctive features for mineral identification.