Boring chocolate? A new look at boreholes

Today, we continue our edible theme with 'Boring chocolate! What can boreholes tell us about the Earth?'.

This activity can be used in any science or geography lesson about finding what is beneath the Earth’s surface, including the search for natural resources and understanding past environments.

You can find related activities in our Earth Materials, Earth's structure category.

 

Use puff pastry and chocolate to make delicious folds and faults

The new ELI today is 'Folds and faults with puff pastry and chocolate; understanding folds and faults in cross section and on a geological map'.

This activity models the formation of folds and then of faults using the Catalonian pre-Pyrenees as an example in the real world.

It's in the ELI category of Deformation - folding and faulting where you can find a wide selection of related activities.

Catastrophic processes - dramatic geological events

Let's consider 'What catastrophic natural processes affected your region in the geological past? Use the evidence in your local region to interpret dramatic geological events'.

In this Earthlearningidea, several photographs are used to stimulate discussion about possible rapid geological processes in the past which might have had “catastrophic” outcomes if there had been humans on the Earth at those times.

Explore the category 'Natural Hazards' for many other activities about catastrophic processes.

Rare Earth elements - essential minerals in modern technology

Today we are continuing our series with 'Essential Minerals for the Green Revolution – 3 Rare Earth Elements; vital components in modern technology'.

This Earthlearningidea could be used in a lesson on the need to identify and exploit rare earth minerals in vital applications in many different fields, ranging from optics to energy saving devices and medical equipment. Rare earth elements are particularly important as catalysts in industrial processes and in the manufacture of strong magnets.

Other ELIs in this series 'Essential minerals for the Green Revolution' can be seen in the Minerals category on the website.

Minerals formed by hydrothermal fluids

Continuing our minerals theme . . . "Interactive hydrothermal mineralisation:‘The rock with the hole’ hydrothermal mineralisation demo".

 

This ELI is a demonstration of how hydrothermal fluids flow through rocks. It is presented in a way to interact with pupils.

Click here to find more Earthlearningideas related to igneous processes.