Using slinkies to show how earthquakes produce body and surface waves

The new ELI today is 'The slinky seismic waves demo; using slinkies to show how earthquakes produce P-, S- and surface waves'.

In this activity, two slinky springs are used to show how one earthquake produces P-, S- and surface waves. It can be difficult to understand how one sudden movement along a fault plane at the underground focus of an earthquake can cause three different sorts of earthquake waves with different properties.
Many more activities about earthquakes can be found on our website.

Earthlearningidea bauble quiz

Have you tried 'Earthlearningidea bauble quiz; fun for all the family - and your class'

This is an exercise to consolidate learning about the Earth through comparisons with a festive bauble.
We hope all our readers enjoy the festivities!

How can you tell which rock is which?

The new ELI today is '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.
Lots more activities about all rock types can be found on our website.

Become a fossil hunter and dig up a dinosaur

'Dig up the dinosaur; become a fossil hunter and dig up a dinosaur'.

This activity provides practice in working systematically, in contrast to simply grabbing an item as it is discovered. It could be used to amplify work on fossilisation. The use of a grid could be used to reinforce a lesson in maths or geography.
Many more activities relating to fossils and the evolution of life can be found on our website.

Modelling a divergent (constructive) plate margin

The new ELI today is 'Faults in a Mars^TM Bar; pulling apart a Mars^TM Bar to model a divergent plate margin'.

The activity models the processes which are taking place at oceanic ridges and continental rift valleys, and enables pupils to see that tensional forces can produce “rift valleys”. It is appropriate in both geography and science lessons AND it can be eaten afterwards!
Lots more activities relating to faults and divergent (constructive) plate margins can be found on our website.