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Schoolyard Geology |
Schoolyard Geology Home | Lesson 1 | 2 | 3 | Download | |
3 Schoolyard Geology Examples | << Cutting Across Layers | << Layers on top of layers |
Click to Enlarge | Move Mouse Over to See Labels Image From: Matthew d'Alessio, USGS
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Click to Enlarge Image Credit: USGS
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Key Concepts: |
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Links for further Exploration: |
About the science: USGS Overview of Sinkholes USGS Circular 1182 [PDF]
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Classroom Activities: |
Stockertown Sinkhole Dilemma (Role Playing, grades 6-9)
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Common Misconceptions: | Misconception: Groundwater flows in vast underground lakes Fact: Groundwater usually flows through tiny spaces between individual mineral grains. Many students have the wrong mental image of groundwater systems -- they frequently picture water flowing in vast underground lakes and rivers. This is not the case for most of the earth! In most rocks on earth, groundwater fills the billions of tiny spaces between individual mineral grains or in narrow fractures within rocks -- a lot like the pore spaces in a sponge. Sinkholes are the rare exception to this sponge-like groundwater system and they actually do form when large cavities develop underground. You can use the existence of sinkholes to help clear up the common misconception by telling students that if groundwater existed in underground lakes everywhere, we would see sinkholes in a lot more places. See this brief summary.
Misconception: Groundwater and surface water are separate systems. |
Science Standards: |
Pennsylvania Gr10, 3.5B: Evaluate the impact of geologic activities/hazards (e.g., earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides). Florida Gr7 Understands the action of ground water to form aquifers, caverns, and sinkholes. |
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