Explain
Geology is one of my hobbies (ok, I have rocks all over the inside and outside of my house) so I was excited to check out the resources and information for this module. The description of Alaska really helps explain the active geological processes that continue to occur under our feet. As I flew back home over the Wrangell-St. Elias mountain range yesterday, I was in awe about how much it continues to rise each year!
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| Mt. Redoubt erupts! 2009 |
I am struck by the impact of satellite photos and technology on the views of the geologic forces of the earth. Geologic forces are, in general, slow acting and long reaching and thus hard to comprehend on a human scale. Being able to see an area from far away on Google Earth, and put it in the “big picture” of the land around it certainly contributes to our understanding of the geologic forces and cycles, and how they influence the ecology as well as the culture and economy of an area.
An example of this is Machu Picchu. I have read about it and seen photos, but looking at it on Google earth gives a different perspective. How did the Incas manage to build all that with the available technology? Another example of seeing the “big picture” is Cahokia Mounds state park near St. Louis, MO. Looking from Google Earth, you can see why the ancient Americans build their city here near the river and the crossroads for traveling tribes.
Extend
The maps and animations will be used with our climate change curriculum on our new Magic Planet (a globe –like projection screen. Several in the list below will be awesome on the globe! For example, students and community members could see why Alaska has so many earthquakes and volcanoes.
This material will also be used in my home school science program. The links provide students a quick way to explore the types of plate movement, how the rock cycle works, and locations of plate boundries, volcanoes, and earthquakes. I like letting students use the on line resources because it helps engage reluctant readers and students can go through them at their own pace.
Evaluation
The material in this unit is very relevant for developing an interactive display for looking at plate movement and geological phenomena in Alaska and around the world. The geologic forces certainly influence the way of life here, from the ancient culture to today’s oil- dependent culture.
Being able to look at the “big picture” helps understand the development of cultural activities and traditions of indigenous peoples. The landscapes determine the ecology of the area. The ecology determines survival strategies, including choices of food, shelter, travel, and commerce.
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| Pt. Hope, AK: modern and ancient economies together |
Links for reference
I am listing my favorites so that I can refer back to them or others who might be interested can find them quickly!
Climate change and weather patterns and how they affect traditional Arctic lifestyles and hunting
Mountain maker, earth shaker simulation – good simulation that shows the various plate movements, mountain formation, volcanoes at plate boundaries and their effects at the surface of the earth
Rock cycle animation – simple animation showing the three main types of rocks and how they are formed (middle school)
Volcanoes around the world- good map of where they are located – for Magic Planet?
Animations and explanations of plate tectonics (long website but great animation and accompanying explanation)
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates3/images/plates.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/musicalplates3/en/studentactivity2PRINT.shtml&usg=__zuYoXBnZzn-qeiE9WGQxu_3Dm_0=&h=780&w=404&sz=107&hl=en&start=17&sig2=OiW3D52UlSZPC8kGjM-emQ&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=vnwasJ1z4tfaaM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=74&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtectonic%2Bplate%2Blocation%2Bmap%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=CkHCTNXkKIeglAfcqKAH
I like your comments on how Google Earth can give a different perspective to geology because it is "hard to comprehend on a human scale," especially landforms that we can't observe on a daily basis. This reminds me of what Richard Glenn: Iñupiaq Geologist said about the experts of recognizing various types of ice from satellite - but when they were put right on the ice fields they had been studying for years, it was a who new experience for them.
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