Final answer:
Mineral resources tend to be clustered in certain geological regions and are not uniformly distributed. Option D, stating that many mineral resources are located along coastlines, aligns with regions with significant mineral wealth such as Southern Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
Considering the information provided about mineral deposits and plate tectonics, we can make a general observation about the distribution of mineral resources on Earth. Oil deposits, which are one type of mineral resource, are not uniformly spread out but tend to be clustered in certain regions of the world, typically where certain geological conditions are met, such as ancient shallow seabeds. The process of oil formation is lengthy, occurring over millions of years. Similarly, areas with divergent plate boundaries, like mid-ocean ridges, suggest a non-uniform distribution of geological features and by extension, certain mineral deposits as well. As for mineral richness, some regions, particularly in Southern Africa, are known for their vast mineral resources, indicating that some areas on Earth are significantly wealthier in minerals than others. Based on this, option D that states 'Many are located along coastlines' is likely correct as it aligns with the description of mineral-rich regions along the coasts, such as the continental shelves and the regions off the northwest coast of Angola stretching to South Africa.
While each case may be different, the general trend appears to be that mineral resources are not uniformly distributed across the globe, and factors like tectonic boundaries and geological history play a significant role in their placement. Therefore, the full scope of geological context would be required to make a definitive statement about the distribution pattern of mineral resources.