Hotspots . . what are they?

 Today we consider 'Hotspots; modelling the movement of a plate across the globe'.

In this ELI a felt-tip pen and a piece of card are used to model the evidence of the movement of a tectonic plate over a fixed heat source in the Earth’s mantle.

Many related activities can be found in 'Plate tectonics' in our Earth energy / processes category.

Following the devastating earthquake (7.7 magnitude) which occurred in Myanmar on 28th March, today's ELI is all about seismic waves. '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.

More activities related to Earthquakes can be found in our Natural Hazards category.

Evidence for Plate tectonics beneath the oceans - using satellites

The new ELI today is 'Laser Quest 2 – above the waves; seeing evidence for plate tectonics beneath the oceans - using satellites.'

This ELI is a simulation to demonstrate the principle behind satellite mapping of the ocean floor based on gravitational anomalies recorded at the ocean surface.

Related activities can be found in our 'Oceanography' category.

How to model the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor

The ELI today is 'Magnetic stripes; modelling the symmetrical magnetic pattern of the rocks of the sea floor.'

This ELI demonstrates the origin of the symmetrical magnetic anomalies which occur at

oceanic spreading centres.

Many more activities can be found in our Plate tectonics section of Earth energy / processes category.

Essential Minerals for the Green Revolution – 8 Critical Minerals

The new ELI today is  "Essential Minerals for the Green Revolution – 8 Critical Minerals; essential mineral – critical mineral: what is the difference?"

This ELI defines the purpose of a national critical minerals list for the future needs of the UK’s technology.

Many ELIs about essential minerals can be found in our Minerals category.

Sink Holes

Sink holes have been in the news in the UK over the last few weeks. Our ELI about this topic is 'Sink hole! Demonstrate sink hole processes in action'.

Sink holes commonly form over limestone bedrock, but also develop where the underlying materials are even more soluble, such as rock salt and gypsum deposits. This classroom activity models the dissolving of underground materials and the impacts this can have at the surface.

Other activities can be found in our natural hazards category.

How was the Earth's Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale established?

The new ELI today is 'When did the poles ‘flip’? Simulating how the Earth’s Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale was established.'

This activity can be used to help teach students to understand how the pattern of ocean floor anomalies (magnetic stripes) can be dated; something they rarely appreciate. It might be used prior to a lesson on the palaeomagnetic evidence for plate tectonics on the ocean floor.

Related activities can be found in our Plate tectonics and Oceanography categories.

A woman scientist in a man's world

The ELI today is  - Marie Tharp: "The valley will be coming up soon". Bruce Heezen: "What valley?" ‘A woman scientist in a man’s world’ – what was it like?

Marie Tharp identified oceanic rift valleys. She is one of the key figures not only of early oceanography but also in the development of plate tectonic theory. The activity helps pupils to think what it might have been like to be a female scientist at a time when science was dominated by men.

Related activities can be found in our Oceanography and Plate tectonics categories.

Echo-sounder study of sea floor topography

Our ELI today continues the theme of sea floor topography - 'Modelling seafloor mapping; how to simulate an echo-sounder study of seafloor topography'. 

This activity simulates sea floor topography, sea floor mapping and echo-sounding techniques.

Related activities can be found in our oceanography category.

Spreading ocean floor and transform faults

We continue our ocean floor theme with 'Model a spreading ocean floor offset by transform faults; a model of the transform fault ‘steps’ in oceanic ridges and their magnetic stripes'.

In this Earthlearningidea a working model shows how sea floors spread and how they are offset by transform faults. 

Other activities related to plate tectonics can be found here.

Evidence for plate tectonics beneath the oceans

The new ELI today is 'Laser Quest 1 – below the waves; seeing evidence for plate tectonics beneath the oceans - using echo sounding'.

This activity is a simulation to demonstrate the principle behind the echo sounding method of mapping the ocean floor topography.

Related activities can be found in the 'Oceanography' and 'Plate tectonics' categories.

How do we measure sea floor depths and their relief?

 The ELI today is 'Measuring the depths of seas and oceans: How is it done? - a simple demonstration of how we measure sea floor depths and relief'.

This Earthlearningidea demonstrates ancient and modern methods of measuring and profiling sea and ocean floor depths.

Related activities can be found in our Oceanography category.

Continental split - modelling the birth of the Atlantic Ocean

Today's ELI is 'Continental split – the opening of the Atlantic Ocean; modelling how the continents moved, from Pangaea to today'.

This is a scissors and paper activity modelling the relative positions and movements of the continents as the ocean floor spreads either side of an oceanic ridge.

Other activities related to constructive or divergent plate margins can be seen in our Plate Tectonics category.

What would a major flood outside your window be like?

Our ELI today is about flooding 'Flood through the window - what would you see, how would you feel? Pupils picture for themselves what a major flood through the window might look like'.

This earthlearningidea uses a window as a teaching aid – what would a flood outside be like? There are a series of questions to answer. At the end of the exercise, pupils have a good understanding of flooding.

Related activities can be found in our Natural Hazards category.