Geology4th Grade

EQ:

What is geology?

Geology K-W-LKnow Want to Know Learned

A root and a suffix– geo means “land, earth”– ology means “study of”

Geology is, “the study of the earth and its layers.”

What is geology?

So how do scientist know what is inside the Earth?

• Make scale models• Drill into the Earth• Study energy waves

from earthquake• Study rocks that spew

from volcanoes

Making inferences (conclusion based on evidence)…

EQ:

What is plate tectonics?

What was the name of the super continent?

Key Definitionsplate tectonics-the movement and

reformation of continents due to the shifting of the ocean’s crust and mantle underneath

Pangaea- supercontinent that once contained all of the major continents in the world

Alfred Wegener-German meteorologist who theorized continental drift in 1912

Continents Song

North America, South America,

Europe, Asia, and Australia,

Africa, Antarctica,

These are the continents.

Pangaea

Pangaea

EQ:

What are the 4 main layers of the Earth?

Key Definitionscore-earth’s innermost layer, two zones (the

outer core and the inner core) composed mainly of iron and nickel

crust-outer portion of earth

mantle-the layer of earth found between the crust and the core, composed of magma

tectonic plates-rigid layers of earth’s crust, including the continental and oceanic crusts, that drift slowly atop the mantle

Layers of the Earth

• 4 layers– Crust– Mantle– Outer Core– Inner Core

The Crust

• Movement of ~20 huge slabs called, “tectonic plates”– Forms the shape of our continents– Creates mountains– Cause volcanoes to erupt

EQ:

Name and describe three plate boundary types.

Key Definitions

convergent boundary– plates come together

divergent boundary- plates pull apart

subduction- one plate goes under another

transform boundary – plates slide past

Types of Boundaries

Types of Boundaries Simulation

Plate Tectonics

EQ:

What is an earthquake?

Key Definitions

earthquake-a movement of Earth’s crust

fault-a fracture in Earth’s crust along which the blocks of rock on either side have been pushed together or moved apart

mountain-an uplifted section of the surface of the Earth that is formed by the movement of two tectonic plates, and by volcanism, folding, and faulting

Richter Scale-numerical scale that measures the magnitude (how strong) of an earthquake

seismograph-machine that detects and records the intensity of ground movements such as earthquakes

Earthquakes and Faults

Seismograph Simulation

EQ:

What are the 4 types of mountains?

Key Definitionsdome-folded mountain, shaped like an upside down

bowl with the layers dipping away from the center in all directions

fault block mountain-a mountain formed when Earth’s crust is pulled apart, blocks of crust drop down or are tilted (Rocky Mountains)

folded mountain-a mountain formed where plates move into each other, causing layers of rock to move up and warp or fold (Appalachian and Ural)

volcanic mountain-a mountain formed by a vent flowing with magma from the mantle to the crust

Making Mountains

Can you identify each type of mountain?

A. B.

C. D.

EQ:

What is the main difference between magma and lava?

Key Definitions

volcano-an opening in the crust of Earth that ejects lava, gases, and ash

dormant-temporarily inactive

extinct volcano-a volcano that was once active but has stopped erupting and will never erupt again

magma-molten rock found under Earth’s surface

lava-molten rock moved to earth’s surface by a volcano

tsunami-seismic sea wave caused by an earthquake, landslide, or volcanic activity that occurs under the ocean

Mt. St. Helen’s 1980

EQ:

What causes a geyser to erupt?

Key Definitions

geothermal energy-energy that uses or relates to heat from the interior earth

geyser- a hot spring that occasionally releases water and steam into the air

hot spring- groundwater that comes to the surface when it is heated by geothermal energy

Geyser Simulation

Hot Springs and Geysers

“Old Faithful” Geyser– Located in Yellowstone

National Park– Erupts every 90 min.– Live Webcam– Video Footage

EQ:

How do the 3 types of rocks form?

Key Definitions

erosion-the transportation of rock particles to a new location

igneous rock- rock formed by molten magma or lava that has hardened

metamorphic rock- rock that has been changed due to pressure and heat

sedimentary rock- rock formed from sediments that are pressed together

weathering-process by which rocks are broken down and changed by exposure to environmental conditions (chemical or physical)

3 Types of Rock

Rock Cycle

EQ:

How is chemical weathering different from physical weathering?

Weathering

weathering-process by which rocks are broken down and changed by exposure to environmental conditions

-chemical weathering: chemically altering the mineral components of rocks

ex: rusting of iron (oxidation)

-physical weathering: changing the physical properties of rock

ex: larger rock breaking into smaller pieces (freezing/thawing/wind)

Sink Hole in a Cup Simulation

Bill Nye “Science Guy”

Rocks and Soil23 min