Measuring Glacial Retreat Activity Source: Adapted with permission by U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS has been studying glaciers in Glacier National Park since 1850. It is estimated that there were 150 glaciers in the park back then, and when the national park was established in 1910. Today only 25 glaciers remain. Scientists go back every year to repeat photographs, as well as to examine the ice and the ecology of the landscape to see how glacial retreat is affecting plant and animal species that live there. [Read More]

Measuring Permeabilities of Soil, Sand, and Gravel Activity Source: Adapted with permission from an activity by Robert D. Whisonant, Physical Science Department, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142. SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology), 2006. Background This investigation will help you to learn that different geologic materials have different characteristics. Why is this important? When a road or building is constructed, the underlying substance could have an effect on the structure’s stability. Different soils, for instance, can pose different problems, based on climate, topography, and amount of rainfall in the area. [Read More]

Mineral Electrical Conductivity Activity Source: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Adapted with permission. People must mine minerals to provide all kinds of materials that we depend on in our lives. For example, wires and circuit boards used in electronics are made of mined minerals. Copper, which is refined from rocks containing copper sulfide and copper oxide, is the most common mineral used in electronics because it is an excellent electrical conductor. [Read More]

Mineral Identification Activity Source: Adapted from Women in Mining Education Foundation Activities Purpose To teach the student to identify minerals by observing and testing the physical properties of each mineral. Instructions Set up mineral stations for each mineral the students are to identify. If necessary, some stations may have two minerals to identify. Each station should be equipped with one each of the following items: Glass plate Penny Streak plate (white unglazed porcelain) Magnet Water Balance Scale Graduated cylinder (for specific gravity test) Steel Nail Divide students into equal groups. [Read More]

Mining Creates Reservoirs and Habitats Activity Source: Source: Minerals Education Coalition. Adapted with permission. There is an important interconnection between local mines and quarries that later become reservoirs and supply crucial water resources to local communities. The life cycle of a mine has different phases. Production supplies important resources such as construction materials and other important minerals. Then with the mine’s closure and reclamation, it is sometimes used for freshwater [Read More]

Mitigating the Effects of Landslides Activity Source: Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Developed by Lindsay Mossa, AGI Landslides occur when the soil or rocks on a hill or mountain are loose or unstable and fall down the slope. Landslides are a natural hazard and greatly affect people who live on or near unstable land. Common triggers of landslides include heavy rains and earthquakes, which occur in many places around the world. Mitigation strategies are developed and built by people to prevent or reduce the effects of landslides. [Read More]

Model of a Normal Fault Activity Source: This model is one of a number that can be found on the Explore Earthquakes CD-ROM Teacher Resource available from the Geological Society of America. Background A normal fault occurs when rocks break and move because they are being pulled apart. As the area is stretched, the rocks move along the fault. Each movement causes an earthquake. This model demonstrates how a block of rock is extended by a normal fault. [Read More]

Model of a Well Activity Source: Nebraska Earth Systems Education Network, School of Natural Resources, by Marianne Bonnemier Background Groundwater is contained in the zone of saturation below the land surface. The top of this zone is known as the water table. People can tap into this source of water by drilling wells. The depth of the well and level of the water table greatly influences the wells productivity. Objective Demonstrate the relationship of groundwater to wells. [Read More]

Modeling an Oil Reserve Activity Source: Adapted with permission by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists from AGI’s Earth System Science in the Community (EarthComm), 2005. Background Since 1970, oil and natural gas have provided more than half of the energy used each year in the United States to produce electricity, heat, transportation fuels, and many everyday products from balloons to vitamins. Oil and natural gas are forms of petroleum, a word that literally means “oily rock. [Read More]

Modeling Earth’s Water — Fresh vs. Salty Activity Source: Source: U.S. Geological Survey. Adapted with permission. We drink water every day — we can’t live without it! About 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water, but how much of Earth’s water is actually drinkable? In other words, how much is liquid freshwater — not salty or frozen? Materials • Globe or world map • Water cycle diagram • 100 gummy bears [Read More]