Geophysics - remote sensing

'Modelling remote sensing geophysics: using a mock gravimeter and magnetometer set up in the classroom'

This activity uses a mock gravimeter and magnetometer to demonstrate the principles of the remote sensing of buried rocks by measuring gravity and magnetism.
Other geophysics activities can be found in our teaching strategies.

What evidence might be preserved in rocks from different environments?

'Beach, river, dune, mountain, plain – what layers might be preserved here? A discussion on what evidence might be preserved in rocks from different environments'.

This activity involves a discussion about the different types of layers and evidence that might be laid down and preserved in different land and coastal environments.
After this activity pupils can picture a modern environment and describe the types of sedimentary layers that might be deposited there. They can also explain how the layers might be deposited and the evidence they might contain for the sedimentary processes that deposited them.
Many more activities relating to sedimentary environments can be found on our website.

The perfect fracking fluid

Recipe for the perfect fracking fluid: make your own fluid to fracture hydraulically (frack) methane-bearing shale

This activity examines the hydraulic fracturing method and the purposes of the different constituents of the fracking fluid.
More Earthlearningideas about the extraction of oil and gas can be found on our website.

Plate driving mechanisms

The new ELI published today is "‘All models are wrong’ – but some are really wrong: plate-driving mechanisms. Many textbook diagrams of plate-driving forces have arrows in the wrong places".

This activity offers a strategy for teaching that all models are simplifications, and that these can be wrong when superseded by better evidence-based models, Many diagrams in textbooks show mantle convection to be the main driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates, through arrows showing convection currents throughout the mantle. However, evidence from seismic tomography and from the speed of plate movement related to the area of plates and the length of plate margins, shows that slab-pull and ridge-push mechanisms are more important drivers for most, if not all plates.
Many more activities related to plate tectonics can be found on our website by using the search engine or the alphabetical index.

Earthquake in your classroom

Have you tried the Earthlearningidea 'An earthquake in your classroom; a classroom earthquake intensity scale'?

“Earthquakes don’t kill people; buildings do.”
This activity helps pupils to visualise what experiencing an earthquake of different intensities might be like. With some classes, it will need careful management!
Many other earthquake related activities can be found on our website.

What colour was the world in the past?

The new Earthlearningidea today is "What colour was the world in the past? Using rock evidence and ‘the present is the key to the past’ to colour the geological world".

This activity involves a discussion, using the colours of unweathered surface rocks and ‘the present is the key to the past’ to give a coloured picture of past geological worlds.
More teaching ideas about the Earth in the past and about uniformitarianism can be found by referring to the Geological Time category or by using the search engine or alphabetical index on our website.

How a rising mountain chain can reveal its hidden secrets

“Hooray and up she rises!*" How a rising mountain chain can reveal its hidden secrets

Modelling how erosion of the top of a mountain range is accompanied by isostatic uplift, eventually exposing rocks, once hidden deep below.
Many activities about mountain building and isostasy can be found by searching our website.
* From "The Drunken Sailor" sea shanty