Collapsing volcanoes

The last new ELI of 2012 is 'Collapsing volcanoes - cauldron subsidence'. Try making a jelly model of the ‘cauldron subsidence’ that can occur when volcanoes erupt and collapse. By doing this activity, pupils will appreciate that large scale surface features may be formed in volcanic regions, when magma beneath drains away or erupts and removes support from a vast cylinder of rock.

The best way of cleaning up from this activity is to eat it!

There are now nearly 150 Earthlearningideas on our website. You can search by topic name, keyword or category.

Unpredictability of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Well . . .  in this ELI, not exactly earthquakes and volcanic eruptions; rather, party poppers. We have added further extension material to the activity 'Party time for volcanoes!'

The total number of experimental runs (i.e. popped party poppers) aggregated over two large events (and a few smaller ones in between) is now 286. The arithmetic mean mass required to pop is 1.29kg. You may remember that last year one visitor achieved an unconfirmed 'world record' of 3.5kg - freakishly high as nobody else exceeded 2.3kg and, interestingly, this was mirrored last week - there was one instance of 3.4kg, with the next highest value being 2.1kg.
Thank you to the British Geological Survey for these data.
This is the time of year to try out this activity!
Season's greetings from the Earthlearningidea team.

How do we know about the Earth's Core?

To find out, try the latest Earthlearningidea, 'A core activity'. Cut out sets of the 14 ‘Core evidence cards’ provided in the activity. Give a set to each group of pupils and ask them to sort the cards to show the evidence we have for the composition of the Earth’s core. Tell the pupils that the evidence may be on a single card, or a series of cards linked together, while some cards may contain no evidence for the
core’s composition. When they have sorted their cards, ask them to suggest what the composition might be, and give the evidence that supports this idea.
This is one of many activities in the 'Investigating the Earth' category.

Evolution after Man

This video clip from YouTube fits well with our latest new Earthlearningidea, 'Fifty million years into the future'

Fifty million years into the future

Our latest ELI is '50 million years into the future; an investigation of how animals become adapted to their environments'. Fictional animals have been ‘invented’ based on the principles of evolution. Pupils are asked to imagine what Earth might be like 50 million years in the future, assuming that mankind is extinct. They are asked to consider the imaginary Saurantel and Manspimon. How have these two animals become adapted to their environments?
Animals in the future will adapt to their environments just as they have in the past. Pupils often do not appreciate that animals and plants are still evolving and adapting to their changing environments.
This is one of many ELI activities in our Evolution of life category.