Monday, 31 March 2025

Evidence for Plate tectonics beneath the oceans - using satellites

The new ELI today is 'Laser Quest 2 – above the waves; seeing evidence for plate tectonics beneath the oceans - using satellites.'


This ELI is a simulation to demonstrate the principle behind satellite mapping of the ocean floor based on gravitational anomalies recorded at the ocean surface.

Related activities can be found in our 'Oceanography' category.

Monday, 24 March 2025

How to model the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor

The ELI today is 'Magnetic stripes; modelling the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor.'


This ELI demonstrates the origin of the symmetrical magnetic anomalies which occur at
oceanic spreading centres.

Many more activities can be found in our Plate tectonics section of Earth energy / processes category.

Monday, 17 March 2025

Essential Minerals for the Green Revolution – 8 Critical Minerals

The new ELI today is  "Essential Minerals for the Green Revolution 8 Critical Minerals; essential mineral critical mineral: what is the difference?"

This ELI defines the purpose of a national critical minerals list for the future needs of the UK’s technology.

Many ELIs about essential minerals can be found in our Minerals category.


Monday, 3 March 2025

Sink Holes

Sink holes have been in the news in the UK over the last few weeks. Our ELI about this topic is 'Sink hole! Demonstrate sink hole processes in action'.


Sink holes commonly form over limestone bedrock, but also develop where the underlying materials are even more soluble, such as rock salt and gypsum deposits. This classroom activity models the dissolving of underground materials and the impacts this can have at the surface.

Other activities can be found in our natural hazards category.

Sunday, 23 February 2025

How was the Earth's Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale established?

The new ELI today is 'When did the poles ‘flip’? Simulating how the Earth’s Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale was established.'


This activity can be used to help teach students to understand how the pattern of ocean floor anomalies (magnetic stripes) can be dated; something they rarely appreciate. It might be used prior to a lesson on the palaeomagnetic evidence for plate tectonics on the ocean floor.

Related activities can be found in our Plate tectonics and Oceanography categories.

Monday, 17 February 2025

A woman scientist in a man's world

The ELI today is  - Marie Tharp: "The valley will be coming up soon". Bruce Heezen: "What valley?" ‘A woman scientist in a man’s world’ what was it like?

Marie Tharp identified oceanic rift valleys. She is one of the key figures not only of early oceanography but also in the development of plate tectonic theory. The activity helps pupils to think what it might have been like to be a female scientist at a time when science was dominated by men.

Related activities can be found in our Oceanography and Plate tectonics categories.

Monday, 10 February 2025

Echo-sounder study of sea floor topography

Our ELI today continues the theme of sea floor topography - 'Modelling seafloor mapping; how to simulate an echo-sounder study of seafloor topography'. 


This activity simulates sea floor topography, sea floor mapping and echo-sounding techniques.
Related activities can be found in our oceanography category.