Rock grain cut out

'Rock grain cut out; how can you tell which grains come from which rock?'

This cutting out and pasting activity is designed to encourage pupils to think carefully about the characteristics of rock grains and how they fit together, in the three major rock groups. It is also useful if you do not have many hand specimens.

There are many Earthlearningidea activities about the three major rock groups and how to identify them. Use the search engine or alphabetical index on the website.

What drives the plates? In slab pull, what is it that pulls?

The new ELI today is 'What drives the plates? In slab pull, what is it that pulls? Understanding how slab pull works through examining the data'.

This activity uses the diagram shown above giving rock densities. A series of questions prompt pupils to study the diagram carefully and so aid their understanding of the slab-pull plate driving mechanisms.

More activities about plate tectonics can be found on our website by using the search engine or the alphabetical index.

Soil erosion

'Why does soil get washed away? Investigating why some farmers lose their soil through erosion whilst others do not'

This activity investigates the effect of vegetation cover in protecting soil from erosion in heavy rainfall. Soil erosion is a normal part of the natural rock cycle, but it can become a major problem in many rural areas where people depend on the land for their livelihood. This activity provides the opportunity to investigate some of the factors involved in limiting soil erosion. You can see the activity in action in this short video clip.

There is also an extension activity about painting with soil

 

Evidence for the different plate tectonic driving mechanisms

 The new ELI today continues our series about plate driving mechanisms:

'What drives the plates? The evidence
Examine the evidence for the different plate tectonic driving mechanisms'

In this activity, plate data is used to judge the different theories about plate-driving mechanisms.

Many activities related to plate tectonics can be found on our website by using the alphabetical index or the search engine.