Geology 4th Grade

EQ: What is geology?

Geology K-W-L Know Want to Know Learned

What is geology? A root and a suffix geo means “land, earth” ology means “study of” Geology is, “the study of the earth and its layers.”

So how do scientist know what is inside the Earth? Making inferences (conclusion based on evidence)… Make scale models Drill into the Earth Study energy waves from earthquake Study rocks that spew from volcanoes

EQ: What is plate tectonics? What was the name of the super continent?

Key Definitions plate 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 Definitions core-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 Definitions dome-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? B. Can you identify each type of mountain? 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 Soil 23 min