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.