Grade Booster

Want a second chance to improve your test grade? Then complete this assignment during your Fall Break. All letters are due when we return on November 14. I will not be accepting late work since this is an extra credit assignment. You may email your letters before November 14.

Types of volcanoes

In class we created a study tool to compare the 3 types of volcanoes -shield, composite and cinder cone. Volcanologists group volcanoes based on their size, shape, and what they are made of (composition).

Be sure to study this and your notes (pgs 36-40) for your quiz on Friday. Left your notebook at home? Check the link on the side to access the class PowerPoint!

The good and bad of volcanoes

In class we started our new unit, volcanoes. Last week we watched a video that followed scientists monotoring Mt Pinatubo in 1991. Thanks to their dedication and careful eye, they were able to evacuate the villages and military bases nearby. 

Today, we wrapped up questions from the video and discussed the good, the bad and where they occur (thankfully not here in NJ!). Tomorrow we will look at the structure of the volcano and the types of volcanoes that can occur.

You will have a quiz FRIDAY- start looking over your notes now!

When faults move

Today we simulated faults moving by apply force to move blocks that were attatched with velcro. Your data should have shown that more force was needed to move the block when friction was increased. No friction - then the block moved much easier.

Homework! Finish questions from the fault activity

Heating things up

By now you should be able to explain that the continents were once all together and that the ocean floor is spreading in some places. Now you can explain why this is all possible- CONVECTION! The same idea that causes wind and ocean currents can now explain what causes earthquakes and volcanoes. To understand this better we modeled convection currents using a special liquid and a candle.

We also made a study tool for tomorrow's notes on the layers of the Earth. If you did not finish you will have time to complete after your quiz.

QUIZ TOMORROW- Study pgs 24, 25, 27 and 29

Yesterday we started looking at evidence that the continents were once connected into one giant landmass. To do this we plotted fossils found on various continents, including Antartica. Today we discussed how this could have happened IF the continents were never joined. There were some creative responses- inlcluding plants that could swim and the popular alien idea.

Through this activity we were able to understand that the only possible explanation is that the continents were once one landmass. We still don't have the why/how they separated. That will come Monday!

Finish up your supercontinent and questions for homework.

Looking at earthquakes

Up to this point, we have focused on what earthquakes are, how we detect them and how they are measured. Now we are going to start trying to answer that nagging question that everyone keeps asking - Why do they happen?

To answer this question we need to understand where they occur. In class today we discovered that there are patterns in their locations, but not always. We also highlighted the 3 major belts for seismic activity: Ring of Fire, Mid- Atlantic Ridge, and the Mediterranean-Himalyan Belt.

Tomorrow, we are going to work on how the plate tectonic theory all came about.

HOMEWORK! Complete the questions using your plate boundary map