Locating Subsurface Energy Resources Activity Source: Society for Exploration Geophysicists Grade Levels: 6-12 Background Geophysical techniques are used to identify subsurface formations related to valuable energy resources, such as fossil fuels or geothermal sources, as well as rock layers that could be used for carbon sequestration. Each geophysical technique transmits a specific type of energy into the ground (e.g., electrical, magnetic, or mechanical) to create images of subsurface rock formations For example, seismic surveys send sound waves through the ground, and the reflection of these waves helps detect differences in the Earth’s subsurface (see video). [Read More]

Soil’s Role in Carbon Sequestration The map, “Earth’s Biomes,” shows the locations of 18 types of biomes and their distribution around the world. Compare the map to the Soil Orders on the front of the Geologic Map Day Poster and the Carbon Sequestration Map on the back of the 2022 Geologic Map Day poster. Earth’s Biomes Credit: Creative Commons, Ville Koistinen, Full-size version available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Vegetation.png a. What trends do you notice about the biomes that match up with soils capable of carbon sequestration? [Read More]