Concept of the resource frontier; concept of resource peak
A resource frontier is a newly accessible area where humans begin extracting resources for the first time. A resource peak is the point when extraction of a finite resource reaches its highest rate and then starts to fall.
Real World
The Athabasca tar sands in Alberta, Canada represent a resource frontier opened when oil prices rose high enough to make expensive extraction viable. US oil production followed a classic peak curve — hitting its first peak in 1970, exactly as M. King Hubbert predicted in 1956.
Exam Focus
Distinguish clearly between 'resource frontier' and 'resource peak' — they are separate concepts and conflating them loses marks.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?