Questions to ask about recording geological data

Today's new ELI is 'Questions for any rock face 14: recording - what questions about recording geological data might be asked at any rock exposure?'

Pupils should consider if the site were to be filled in or destroyed, in what ways could the geological information be recorded for future use? Many methods could be used. The pupils then need to think about which of the ways they have identified would be best and why. Lastly, where should the records be held?
This activity completes our series of questions to ask at any rock face. Previous ELIs and many more concerned with fieldwork can be found on our website.

Using cross-bedding to find the directions of ancient currents

Following on from the post of 5th September about cross-bedding and 'way-up' structures, we now have an ELI about using cross-bedding to find the directions of ancient currents. 'Sedimentary structures - cross-bedding and ancient currents'

Cross-bedding is a common feature of sedimentary rocks. The formation of cross- bedding can be seen in modern depositional environments and then related to similar structures in sedimentary rocks – an example of using the present to help us to understand the past. Cross-bedding can be used as part of prospecting in the minerals or hydrocarbon industries.
Many more activities about sedimentary structures can be found on our website.

Questions to ask about potential for quarry re-opening

Today's new ELI is 'Questions for any rock face 13: quarry economics; what questions about potential for quarry re-opening might be asked at any rock exposure?'

Take your pupils to an abandoned quarry and ask the series of questions provided to help them to understand the economics of exploiting raw materials.
At the end of the activity pupils can:-
- carry out arithmetical calculations;
- describe the potential uses of quarry materials;
- describe the economic potential of a quarry site;
- debate the issues around the re-opening of an old quarry.
Many more ideas for fieldwork can be found on the Earthlearningidea website.

Cross bedding - are the rocks the right way up?

"Sedimentary structures – cross-bedding and ‘way-up’" This ELI uses cross bedding to determine the way-up of a bed of sedimentary rock.

This activity is an introduction to the types of evidence which can be obtained from cross-bedding in sediments and in sedimentary rocks. Many other sedimentary structures are explained in activities on our website. The index will help you to find all of them.