Thermopolis, Wyoming, is world renowned for its thermal hot springs. Hot Springs State Park is located just to the north of the city limits and includes a public bath house for an afternoon of relaxing. Another option is the Fountain of Youth RV Park, located another mile north. All ages are welcome to visit this park. Unlike the state park, Fountain of Youth has an outdoor thermal pool and is open well into the summer evening. With limited camping in the area, one set fee for camping and pool privileges may be the better choice.
Instructions
1. Opt to camp. Fountain of Youth has several campsites for both tent and recreation vehicle. There are also cabin rentals, but no lodging or dining facilities. Drive around the park and select an available and appropriate site, and then return to the office to pay the fee. The park has all the standard fare campers expect, including hot showers, toilets, laundry facilities and a store.
2. Set up camp. There are several ideal locations with shade trees. Change into swimwear, and then head for the pool.
3. The pool is divided into three sections with varying degrees of temperature. The temperature varies depending on the time of day and day of year and is checked daily and regulated so as not to exceed physical limits. The layout is simple. At the far end of the pool, a small stucco volcano houses the plumbing of the hot springs. From the volcano's caldera, steaming water trickles down into streams that feed the third pool, which is the hottest.
4. Test the water in all three pools and experience the levels of temperature. River water mixes with the hot in the second or middle pool, thus cooling the water down somewhat to a comfortable swimming temperature.
5. Use the water temperature in the middle pool to become acclimated to the water in the third. Though all three pools are relatively the same size, this third pool represents the resort's spa. Such hot temperatures do not invite swimming. Standing along the wall for brief periods of time may test one's limit.
6. Encourage the children to remain in the first pool. It maintains a temperature slightly warmer than that of a standard motel pool. There is a backboard and net for basketball as well as an island in the center to climb and jump. The resort also provides an assorted collection of pool toys available for anyone to use.
7. Remain at the pool after dark, and the note that a covered bandstand becomes the focal point for some mellow guitar playing. The owner of the resort will light up the stage and sing a selection of country/rock songs; a mixed genre of music from the 1970s that includes songs by the Eagles and America. The owner generally plays when the park and hot springs are crowded.
8. Before retiring for the night, explore the source of the hot springs. In the dark, the volcano is lit up in shades of white and red, and the steam is more obvious as it cuts through the crisp Wyoming air.
Tags: Fountain Youth, middle pool, Park located, Thermopolis Wyoming, third pool, three pools
In 1872, the U.S. government established Yellowstone, located in parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, as the first national park, according to the U.S. National Park Service. Yellowstone includes notorious features such as geysers that spew mineral-rich water.
Identification
Yellowstone National Park calls its tallest geyser "Steamboat"; it is in Norris Geyser Basin.
Fun Fact
Steamboat is not only the tallest geyser in Yellowstone, but the tallest in the world, according to the Yellowstone National Park website.
Significance
Between 1989 and 2003, Steamboat erupted only 11 times. From 1992 to 1999, this geyser did not erupt at all, according to the Yellowstone National Park website.
Function
Steamboat contains so much pent up energy that most of it does not get released by the hot water, but the steam that Steamboat releases after an eruption.
Features
Steamboat's eruptions can reach up to 300 feet in the air and spew steam for 3 to 40 minutes, according to the U.S. National Park Service. More commonly, Steamboat has "minor" releases of jets of water that go 10 to 40 feet in air.
Tags: National Park, tallest geyser, Yellowstone National, Yellowstone National Park, according National
Middle school is a time to build students' physical intuition, before they can learn physics through algebraic equations and calculus. Newton's car, liquid barometers, and lasers pointed through jars of water help introduce students to forces and light properties in ways that may surprise them. .
Newton's Car
One such activity is called Newton's car, which is a demonstration of Newton's third law of motion. The third law dictates that for each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that, if you push on something, it will push back on you just as hard. The Newton car demonstrates this by ejecting a weight off the back to propel itself forward with a released rubber band. Though the car pushes the weight, the weight also pushes the car with equal force. Another way of looking at it is a demonstration of Newton's first law, the law of inertia. Because of the weight's inertia, the car is able to push off it, just as it might push off a wall. NASA provides instructions for build a Newton's car.
Calculate Buoyancy and Density
The volume of water displaced by a submerged object is pushed up with a buoyant force equal to the weight of the displaced water. This is Archimedes' Principle. So hanging an object from a scale while it is above water and below water tells you how much water the object displaces, and therefore what the volume of the object is. The density of the object is therefore found from its weight and volume.
The discussion of Archimedes' Principle can be extended to the difference between icebergs and glaciers. Icebergs don't raise sea levels as they melt, because they already displace a volume of water of equal mass.
Measure the Small
Small objects can be too small to detect with available instruments. A simple measurement idea, to show that physical laws hold at small scales, is to measure the aggregate effect of many, many small objects. Then the total effect, divided by the number of such objects, gives you the effect of just one.
The activity can be as simple as counting out a few bags worth of jelly beans or few pounds of lead shot, weighing the bunch, then dividing by the count to get one unit's weight.
Discussion with students will be instrumental to put this activity in context; otherwise, it might come off as busy work. This activity prevents students' struggling in high school physics class with the idea that scientists know the effect of the small, even if it is not directly measurable. A simple example is that, despite being small, a fly hitting a car's windshield slows the car down, due to the conservation of momentum. Another example is that the moon has little effect on a drop of ocean water, but can cause mile-deep ocean water to bulge by a few inches, creating a tide when the bulge comes in to shore, as first explained by Newton.
Electrical Induction
Connect a wire to the two poles of an ammeter or of a light bulb. Then wave a magnet back and forth over the wire. The light or ammeter will flicker because the wire is cutting the field lines of the magnet. Danish scientist Hans Christian Oersted discovered this effect in 1819 while giving a lecture. For a stronger effect, coil up the wire and use a larger magnet. This effect is the basis of the alternating current power grid and much of modern electronics.
Gathering information on the ecosystem provides important detail for your field notes.
Taking notes while conducting field work will help later when you are analyzing the data. Describing the ecosystem in the field in as much detail as possible will provide a setting for that data. An ecosystem's living and non-living components have an impact on many scientific studies, whether the fieldwork involves geology, wildlife biology, botany, soil science, natural resources management, archaeology, forest management, geography, horticulture, paleontology or zoology. Describing the ecosystem in the field provides a perspective on the ecology of the area. Based upon the time constraints, you can decide what level of detail is required in describing the ecosystem for your fieldwork.
Instructions
Preliminary Homework
1. Orienting your fieldwork on a map will save time in the field.
Prepare by doing a little research before heading out. Find out the address, cross streets or name and coordinates of the natural area for the fieldwork.
2. Preparing your notebook before fieldwork will help you make the most of your time.
Do an Internet search using the information to find an map and an aerial photograph of the area. Start the fieldwork entry in a notebook with the date of the fieldwork and a description of the area that includes driving directions to the area, the nearest town, the distance to the nearest town and the density of trees.
3. Surveying the area's biome will set the stage for fieldwork in an ecosystem.
Search in a biology textbook or online for a list of biomes. Understanding the ecosystem in fieldwork first requires an understanding of the biome it inhabits. Describe the biome or biomes of the fieldwork area in the notebook. Biomes are major life zones, such as lakes, estuaries, deserts and tundras. They are defined by the type of vegetation, climate, geologic features and characteristic heterotrophic and photosynthetic organisms. Moreover, biomes are increasingly characterized by the impact humans have made on them. Read a brief description of the relevant biome or biomes for your fieldwork area and note details that pertain to your field of research. Note plant, fungus and animal species you might see in the field.
4. Note the website addresses used as sources, in the field journal. Bookmark the websites used, for reference.
In the Field
5. Taking time to observe landscape features helps set the set stage in the field notes.
Make note of the date, time arrived, weather and GPS coordinates (if possible). Include weather details, such as cloud cover, amount of precipitation, presence of sunshine and amount of wind. Draw an aerial map of the sampling area with dimensions, landscape features (for example, creeks, open grassland, rocky features and forest), human features (for example, agricultural fields and houses), amount of shade provided by vegetation and soil moisture.
6. Describing the vegetation provides an important detail in describing an ecosystem.
Describe in your field notebook the vegetation and fungi in your field sampling site. Include known and unknown species by noting the species name or a description of the organism, if unknown. For unknown plants, note the number of leaves on the stem, the growth pattern, the color and shape of leaves and the height of the plant. Describe the density of the plant growth by noting the most numerous plants and how close they grow together. Draw and/or photograph leaves of unknown plants to look up later. For further detail, use the quadrat sampling technique by throwing a hula hoop several times randomly into the field sampling area and describing every plant, fungus and animal species found within the hoop.
7. Recording the number and diversity of species provides important detail about ecosystem richness.
Describe the animals in the sampling area. Do a line transect survey by walking 30 meters in one random direction, counting as many species as possible. Or, you can describe the animal species by point count. Stand in several random spots quietly for 10 minutes each and note as many species as possible. For either method, note the animal's details, such as song or call, appearance, distance from observer, location in the ecosystem (for example, in a treetop or wading along a stream) and interaction with other animals. Note as many details as possible for unknown species to look up later.
8. An ecosystem's largest number of organisms are often the smallest.
Collect samples of stream or pond water, if there is a water feature in the sampling area, to provide ecosystem detail on aquatic insects, macroinvertebrates and microinvertebrates. Open jars in the water at several different water depths and water current speeds. If possible, use a D-frame net to collect specimens and place them in a jar. A D-frame net is D-shaped, with the straight edge of the net held to the bottom of the creek, leaving the curved part of the net to drift upward into the current. If possible, catch and release organisms after identifying, photographing or taking notes on them.
9. Note the departure time in the field notebook and any changes in the weather since arriving.
Back at Home
10. Adding weather details provides a better understanding of the ecosystem's conditions at the time of your visit.
Note the high and low temperatures and amount of wind and preciptation of your field sampling area for the time you were in the field. Search online for "Yesterday's Hourly Conditions," choose a local weather website, and plug in the date and time in the field and the zip code or city and state to find the weather detail for your notebook. If possible, record your temperatures in Celsius. Use the Beaufort Wind Scale by assigning a number to the amount of wind recorded in your notebook.
11. Often species are difficult to identify in the field. Identifying species later with guides is often the best way to make the most of your time in the field.
Look up the unknown plant, fungus and animal species, using the features in your field notes. There are many book and online field guides available. Often, guides that are produced locally and by university presses or nature societies will provide the most accuracy and ease of use.
12. A microscope can give you a glimpse of the ecosystem at the smallest scale.
Examine specimens under a microscope. If you collected specimens from a stream or pond, examining the organisms under magnification can yield much information about the diversity of life in an ecosystem.
Tags: your field, sampling area, animal species, time field, amount wind, field notes
Earthquake damage ranges from minor items to complete destruction of the home.
California is more prone to earthquakes than any other state in the country. Because of this, having earthquake insurance in California offers you a degree of financial protection that could mean the difference between financial ruin and a temporary setback. You may never need to file an earthquake-related insurance claim, but having unused coverage is less expensive than paying for full repairs out of your own pocket.
Earthquake Statistics
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the odds of California being hit by a major earthquake in the next 30 years is approximately 62 percent, with the Bay Area the most likely location for a major quake of magnitude 6.7 or higher on the Richter scale. Statistically, this means that two out of three homes purchased today may be located in an area affected by a major earthquake before the mortgage of the home is paid off.
What Is Earthquake Insurance?
Earthquake insurance is intended to pay the costs to repair or replace a damaged home and other structures on the insured property. Earthquake damage can include a range of possible problems, including fire, structural damage, flooding and water damage. Even though the home may be covered for these problems without earthquake insurance, your insurance is not obligated to pay for such damages if they are caused by an earthquake and you do not have earthquake insurance.
High Risk Coverages
Because California is a high risk state for earthquakes, not all insurance companies offer earthquake coverage. Instead, you may have to purchase the coverage through specialty insurance companies, such as the California Earthquake Authority or through state-sponsored insurance pools that all insurance companies are required to participate in.
Earthquake Insurance Exclusions
Earthquake insurance will cover flood damage related to an earthquake but will not pay for flooding related to other causes, such as hurricanes or spring runoff. Similarly, your home may be covered against fire damage but would not be protected against the same damages if they were caused by an earthquake unless you had purchased earthquake coverage.
Home and Other Structures
Pay close attention to how your earthquake insurance is worded. For example, some types of earthquake insurance will cover the home but will not extend coverage to other buildings on the property, such as a garage or guest bungalow. If your policy excludes these buildings, you can increase the coverage by purchasing an additional rider on your policy.
Teaching about the rock cycle can prove difficult with a group of students who enjoy moving around. To spice up your teaching, try using a fun activity to teach about or review the rock cycle. These activities can get your students moving and thinking in a hands-on way, which will help them to learn more interactively.
The Stations Game
It is important for students to understand that the rock cycle is not literally a "cycle," in that it does not follow a set path. Put three desks (stations) around the room to represent the three stages of the rock cycle, and divide students into three groups. Have each group take a station and make a list of several things that could happen to the rocks at that station to make them move to a different station. Have them write each action on a card, and place the stack of cards on the desk. Then have one student take a turn being a rock and bouncing around from station to station. Each time the student reaches a station, he should pick one of the cards, read it aloud and go to the station indicated
Baking Fun
Have students brainstorm different ways that they can use recipes to mimic the same processes that create the different types of rocks in the rock cycle. For example, Rice Krispy treats are made with a similar process to sedimentary rocks, chocolate chip cookies are similar to metamorphic rocks (the chips change shape but don't completely melt or combine with other material in the cookie) and most other baked goods (including the dough part of the chocolate chip cookie) bake through a process similar to igneous rocks. If time allows, have students bake some of their "rock cycle treats."
Fun With Crayons
Show students sharpen some crayons with a crayon sharpener to produce shavings. Tell students that these shavings are sediments. Have them put a large pile of shavings on a piece of heavy duty foil and fold over so that no shavings can escape. Then put the foil between two wooden boards and use a hammer to bang on the top board while the students watch. Take out the "sedimentary rock" and show it to students so that they can describe and discuss it. Then rewrap the rock and add even greater pressure while pounding it between the two boards to create a "metamorphic rock." To create an "igneous rock," heat the foil for several minutes over a burner (or place it in an oven, if you have access to one). Have your students identify each type of rock and explain the process that created it.
Tags: rock cycle, chocolate chip, Have them, rock cycle, station make
Deforest is within driving distance of several water park and water slide resorts at the Dells and in the Madison area.
In spite of the Wisconsin's distinction of having the most water parks in the world, the small village of Deforest, Wisconsin, does not have have any hotels with water slides. Rather, visitors who wish to enjoy Wisconsin's rich water park system can drive under an hour north to visit the Wisconsin Dells or head east and west from town towards the smaller networks of aquatic parks.
The Dells
Located 50 minutes northwest of Deforest is Wisconsin Dells, a popular Midwestern tourist destination with the largest concentration of water parks and water slides at every turn. Billed as the "Waterpark Capital of the World," the Dells has no less than 22 hotels with water slides. The Greco-Roman Hotel Rome Mount Olympus Resort, Water and Theme Park contains both indoor and outdoor water parks, including 13 mat, tube, speed, body and drop slides, one of which is a 10-story drop. The African-themed Kalahari Resort contains the largest indoor water park at 125,000 square feet and 11 slides. The Wilderness Hotel and Golf Resort in the Dells features 12 football fields worth of water park activities, including no less than nine indoor slides and additional outdoor slides including "The Black Hole," "Ransack Ridge" and the 400-foot long "Gold Rush" tube slide that launches off a 40-foot high tower.
Greater Madison Area
Half an hour away is the Crawdaddy Cove Water Park at Holiday Inn, Madison's sole indoor water park. The Crawdaddy features a Louisiana bayou theme and includes a 55-foot open body water slide, five mini water slides and an assortment of kiddie water slides. Deer Valley Lodge in Barneveld is significantly smaller at 12,000 feet and features two tower slides and a zero depth kiddie pool with a double slide.
Non-Resort Slides Near Deforest
Located 55 miles east of Deforest is the Riverside Park Aquatic Center Complex in Watertown, a city-owned outdoor facility that features a 216-foot water slide and a 24-foot drop slide. Another alternative is the River Bend RV Resort, home to an 8,000-square-foot water park with two 300-foot water slides. Noah's Ark Waterpark in Lake Delton claims to be America's largest water park, covering 70 acres and containing over 40 water slides. Popular Mechanics named Scorpion's Tail at Noah's Ark Family Park as the wildest capsule slide in America. Scorpion's Tail is a 400-foot long, 10-story high vertical loop that sends sliders hurtling down nearly 50-feet per second. Noah's Ark Waterpark is a theme park only; there are no on-site lodging accommodations.
Tags: water slides, water park, water parks, water slide, 400-foot long
After rubbing sticks together for friction, the next-oldest way to start fire is probably striking flint against steel. A solid piece of flint is struck by a piece of steel. The rough, chipped-up flint shaves off bits of steel that produces the sparks. These are then used to ignite tinder. Back in the days when steel was a prized commodity, these fire-starting kits were hard to assemble. Nowadays, steel is everywhere, making it a simple task.
Instructions
1. Get a steel tool for striking. The typical store-bought flint and steel kit will include a piece of steel with a hook on each end, but in reality most anything handy can be used. A good idea is to use an old Buck knife. Don't use a good knife as a striker, because doing so may ruin the blade.
2. Find or buy some flint. Flint is a common sedimentary cryptocrystal, and it can often be found around limestone or chalk outcrops. Many places where people go to camp will have rock formations where flints can be collected. A basic geology guide may be helpful in looking for flints.
3. Get a small rubber sack, and fill it with dry tinder. The sack helps to ensure the tinder stays dry. There is no need to put the steel or flint in as well. Ordinary precautions (see Step 4) will keep them dry enough. To catch a spark, tinder needs to be very dry, which justifies extra care.
4. Put all three parts--the flint, steel, and the rubber sack of tinder--into a small, easy-to-carry box.
Tags: Fire Starter, Flint Steel Fire, Make Flint, Make Flint Steel, piece steel, rubber sack
Stress on the Earth's crust causes it to deform and change shape, creating distinct landforms. A fault is a crack in the Earth's crust where one side drops, leaving the other side higher. Folding takes place when the Earth's crust is compressed together. When it bends and folds upward, it's called an anticline. When it folds downward, it's called a syncline. Anticlines are good sites for finding oil reservoirs, and synclines are good for tapping groundwater aquifers.
Block Mountains
Block mountains form when the layers of the Earth's crust are forced upward near fault lines. Fault-block mountains have a steep, sharp front side and a gentler, sloping back. Examples of block mountains are the Teton Range of Wyoming, the Alps in Europe and the Urals. California's Sierra Nevada is a 350-mile long block of granite containing Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain peak in the lower 48 states. This granite mountain was lifted during the formation of the Basin and Range Province, centered in Nevada and stretching from southern Oregon to west Texas.
Rift Valley
When a depression appears between two block mountains, that depression is called a rift valley, which can be thousands of miles long. In the United States, one example of these flat-bottomed valleys is Death Valley in California. Some of the largest rift valleys include the East African Rift Valley, Russia's Baikal Valley, Germany's Rhine Valley and the Red Sea. Ocean rift valleys occur where tectonic plates on the seafloor spread apart. The largest lakes in the world are all found in rift valleys.
Folded Mountains
Folded mountains form when crust and rock formations lift and fold after tectonic plates collide. These mountains are generally less rough-looking and are formed adjacent to the sharper, thrust-faulted block mountains. The Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States are folded mountains. Other examples include the Rocky Mountains, Himalayas in Asia, the Andes in South America, the Jura Mountains near the Alps, and the Zagros Mountains in northwestern Iran.
Strike Fault
A strike-slip fault happens where geologic stresses occur in two tectonic plates parallel to each other. The best known example of a strike-slip fault is the 800-mile long San Andreas fault in California, created by the Pacific plate colliding with the North American plate. The San Andreas and Garlock faults intersect in Southern California. At this point, the movement of the Earth's crust at the Garlock fault bends the San Andreas fault into an "S" shape. This pushing together of the crust has resulted in the formation of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles.
Sand dunes of up to 250 feet can be found in the Arabian Desert.
Known as the Empty Quarter in the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian Desert is a vast sea of sand covering much of the peninsula and stretching into the Persian Gulf states. Covering an area of approximately 900,000 square miles, the desert crosses the borders of eight nations. It features a number of opportunities for adventurous travelers to explore one of the world's largest deserts and most remote regions, although access to the majestic desert in certain countries is restricted.
Jordan
The Arabian Desert occupies much of southern Jordan, also known as the Wadi Araba and the Southern Desert. The desert features sand dunes, oases and weathered escapements, and is the home of the Bedouin. Visitors can ride through the Wadi Rum Protected Area by camel, visiting places of T.E. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom, or explore the Wadi Rum on a four-wheel drive excursion with local Bedouin drivers and camp in a tent in Diseh.
Iraq
The main ecological feature of Southern Iraq is the Arabian Desert. Iraq's southern desert is known as Al-Hajarah in the west of the vast region and Al-Dibdibah in the east. Al-Hajarah is a rocky desert with wadis, ridges and depressions, while Al-Dibdibah is a sandy desert with scrub vegetation. Elevations range between averages of 300 and 1,200 feet, with the highest point being the 3,119-foot Mount Unayzah, near Iraq's borders with Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait
Kuwait's main geological feature is the Arabian Desert, which occupies much of the country. Located on the Persian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the country is largely a city-state with most activities centered in the capital city. With the exception of the Kazamah desert cliffs, much of Kuwait features uninhabited desert plains and oases.
Oman
Oman is home to the lost city of Ubar referenced in the Bible, Koran and "Arabian Nights." Some of the highest elevations of the Arabian Desert are found in the southwest of the country, including the 8,464-foot Mount Al-Sham, and in the Yemen Plateau, which features elevations of above 7,000 feet. In Oman's Sharqiya region is the Wahiba Sands, which can be explored on four-wheel drive vehicles with tour operators from Muscat, the Omani capital. Visitors to Wahiba can experience traditional Bedouin life and stay in a desert camp.
Qatar
The Arabian Desert occupies most of Qatar, located on a small peninsula surrounded by the Persian Gulf. One of the deserts highlights in the country is Biz Zekreet, a limestone escarpment in the Arabian Desert surrounded by beaches. Few visitors to these beaches means travelers can quietly enjoy the Gulf's shallow waters. Travelers can camp on the beach or near the escarpment under acacia trees. Visitors can also see camel races in Al-Shananiya west of Doha, Qatar's capital city, from October to May.
Saudi Arabia
In addition to being known as the Empty Quarter, the Arabian Desert is referred to the Rub al-Khali or the Abode of Silence in Saudi Arabia. Permission is needed from the Ministry of Interior to explore the desert by off-road vehicle, or authorized tours can be arranged from Jeddah. Visitors can view the desert's towering dunes without a permit by driving between Najran to Sulayyil, but regular patrols prevent visitors from sneaking into the desert. Visitors with four-wheel drive vehicles can also see dunes up to several hundred kilometers long at the 'Urq Bani Ma'arid Protected Area.
United Arab Emirates
Despite its location in the Arabian Desert, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E). has built modern cities such as Dubai and Adu Dhabi, thanks to the advent of air conditioning, desalination plants and modern transportation. Visitors to the U.A.E. can enjoy desert safaris, and go hiking and camping in the Hajar Mountains, the highest mountain range in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Despite being in the Arabian Desert, the country's largest city, Dubai, also features a beautiful coastline and beaches.
Yemen
Yemen is located in the southwestern corner of the Arabian Desert. Much of the country's interior and its border with Saudi Arabia and Oman is occupied by the desert. Yemen is home to Mount Al-Nabi Shu'ayab, the highest point in the Arabian Desert, at 12,336 feet. Traveling to Yemen, particularly its interior, can be difficult given political unrest, according to the U.S. Department of State. Exploring many parts of the Arabian Desert also requires a Bedouin guide.
Tags: Arabian Desert, Saudi Arabia, four-wheel drive, Persian Gulf, Arab Emirates, Arabian Desert occupies
Golf course architecture involves the creation of scenic courses.
Students wanting to pursue studies in golf course design usually do so by attending a college or university offering degrees in landscape architecture. Some of these landscape architecture programs offer courses in golf course design, turf management or other related fields.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University offers two undergraduate and one graduate degree in the field of landscape architecture. Undergraduate degrees offered are the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (B.L.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Landscape Contracting. These programs typically take four years to complete, while on the other hand, the Master of Landscape Architecture (M.L.A.) degree offered by the university takes about two years to complete. Students can also pursue a dual degree and receive both the B.L.A. and the B.S. degree. Courses related to golf course design include studies in turfgrass management, ornamental and turf insects, landscape architectural construction, management and contracting, soils, arborculture and land maintenance and plant materials.
Mississippi State University
899 State Highway 389
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-2202
www.lalc.msstate.edu
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in landscape architecture. Like other schools in this field, its two primary degrees are the B.L.A. and the M.L.A. There is a certain amount of overlap between the two programs which cover similar areas of emphasis such as design theories, methods and applications, advanced technology and computer applications in design, ecosystems and plants in various situations and scales, construction materials, technology and design, history and theory, cultural and natural systems and site design and construction. Students also take a wide variety of courses in areas such as horticulture and geomorphology as part of the required curriculum.
University of Maryland
2142 Plant Sciences Building
College Park, MD 20740
301-405-0106
www.larch.umd.edu
University of Idaho
The University of Idaho's Department of Landscape Architecture school offers the B.L.A. and a Master of Science in Landscape Architecture (M.S.L.A.). Both programs are accredited by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Students transferring in from a two-year program in landscape technology or horticulture are able to receive both degrees in three years. Areas of study include courses such as emerging issues for the landscape, water in the urban context, introduction to surveying, physical geology, soil ecology, plant materials, natural resources ecology and multiple courses in introduction to landscape architecture.
Gold is used in electronics. It has better electrical conductivity than copper.
Several things should be kept in mind when trading or investing in gold. Gold preserves real purchasing power during unpredictable political situations or inflationary upswings. Returns on gold trading depend on the time scale. Long-term returns on gold are debatable. Trading requires tracking and anticipating uses (demand) for gold, and/or conditions in mining nations (supply). There are misconceptions about gold trading---that trading gold is a singularly "Wild West" endeavor more akin to gambling than to a learned skill.
Store of Value
Gold is a "store of value." It preserves wealth. Political instability, inflation or mandated currency transitions may render one currency close to or completely worthless. Gold does not have that issue, since gold is not "changed" by decree. Gold is also an inflation hedge. Inflation hedges preserve---and even increase---real purchasing power if value of the dollar goes down.
Returns
Trading in gold can be very rewarding or futile, depending on whom you ask. Edward McQuarrie of the Leavey School of Business makes a case against gold investment. He says gold is a nonsensical investment. Since gold is a hedge against general instability, when survival would be paramount. "If you are going to buy gold, you have to buy a shotgun too," McQuarrie says.
On the other hand, gold has a consistently negative correlation to stock indexes. Buying gold during a stock boom can give impressive returns when an equity correction inevitably arrives.
Applications and Price
Electronics, jewelry and high-tech devices use gold. When trading gold, consider likely future demand for products using gold. A consumption-based prediction might be as follows: As more countries develop high-tech capability, electronics will be increasingly common. This would raise demand, and therefore, the price of gold. On the other hand, this same development increases odds that someone may discover or invent substitutes for gold. This would lower the price of gold. Price prediction is not an exact science.
Mining and Production
Producers' instability or natural disasters can cause gold prices to spike. For example, Brazil is a prominent gold supplier. If war broke out there, gold prices would, temporarily at least, increase. Traders and investors often follow developments among producing nations. Production is not a constant. Additionally, as gold prices increase, mining and processing techniques that were unprofitable become worth the high selling price.
Misconceptions
Allegedly, gold is an ultra-risky investment. Yes, gold trading does entail risk; but arguably, less than stock-trading risk. Shares can sustain a 100 percent loss if the underlying company goes out of business. On the other hand, gold will always possess above-zero value. Commodities are also perceived as risky because of market manipulation. This may be true, but such risk extends to stocks. Institutional traders (mutual funds, big banks, etc.) buy and sell in thousands, if not millions, of stock shares at a time. Wall Street pros are also privy to information and resources the typical investor does not have.
Tags: gold prices, other hand, does have, hand gold, other hand gold, price gold
German geologists are discovering skeletons in a large-scale dig.
Encourage children to get their hands dirty as they dig for artifacts with this interactive science project. Geology is the study of the Earth by analyzing different layers of rock. Explain to children that geologists can interpret the Earth's history through the artifacts left on each layer of rock, including fossils and skeletal remains. Each artifact provides detailed explanations about the life forms that existed during a particular time period. As the kids enjoy getting to search for buried treasures, they will also discover more about geology and earth science.
Instructions
Form the Fossils
1. Take 12 handfuls of modeling clay. Flatten each ball of clay into a 1-inch thick form.
2. Press a leaf, tree cone or shell in the center of each piece of clay; do not press the object all the way through the clay. Remove each object carefully so the impressions are intact.
3. Cover your work surface with aluminum foil. Place the clay forms, impression-side up, on the foil, which is going to protect your work area from the plaster in case of accidental leaks.
4. Mix Plaster of Paris with water, according to the packaging instructions, in a plastic disposable bowl using a paint-stirring stick.
5. Use a plastic spoon to fill the clay forms with plaster. Allow the plaster to dry completely. Peel the clay forms off of the plaster pieces to reveal your fossil.
Prep the Site
6. Remove any toys or trash from an outdoor sandbox. Alternatively, use the 4-by-4 wood boards to create a dig site. Cover the bordered ground with 25 pounds of soil.
7. Bury the 12 homemade fossils, 12 plastic dinosaur bones, and 12 geodes or other brightly colored rocks at various depths throughout the sand or soil.
8. Provide four children each with a small plastic shovel and instruct them to dig carefully as they search for the fossils and bones.
Tectonic fault lines are a function of convergent boundaries of the plates that form the Earth's surface.
Wherever lithospheric plates move towards one another and meet, a convergent plate boundary is located. In areas where convergence occurs, volcanic activity, crust formation, and earthquakes occur. The overall outcome of two plates converging depends on the margin and plate type. There are only three convergent boundary types that exist.
Oceanic-Continental Convergence
Oceanic-continental convergences are created whenever an oceanic plate pushes into and moves underneath a continental plate. The continental plate that overrides the oceanic plate actually lifts up to create a mountain range. As the oceanic plate sinks, it slides into the newly formed trench, and smaller pieces break off. The pieces remain in place for years until generating earthquakes that lift up the land.
Oceanic-Oceanic Convergence
Oceanic-oceanic convergences occur when two oceanic plates meet and one oceanic plate is pushed underneath the other. During that process of subduction, a deep trench is formed. The Marianas Trench is an example of an oceanic-oceanic convergence. The southern end of the Marianas Trench plunges 11,000 meters into the earth's interior. Volcanoes also form as a result of an oceanic-oceanic convergence.
Continental-Continental Convergence
Continental-continental convergences are different from two oceanic plates meeting together. Continental crusts are too light to be carried down into a trench. As a result, neither plate is pushed underneath the other. The continental plates converge, buckle, and later compress to create tall mountain ranges on earth. The Himalayas are an example of a mountain range formed from continental-continental convergence.
The greatest effect of climate is not its typical pattern but rather its extremes. The extremes test the adaptability of organisms and their ability to survive. Drought is one such extreme. Basically, a drought is an imbalance in the environment between the available water resources and the demand for water by plants and organisms. Droughts can be caused by lack of precipitation or a reduction in water reserves compounded by an increase in demand. Humans are often this determining factor.
Cost
According to the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research, drought is the most costly natural disaster, surpassing floods. The NCFAR estimated that drought costs $6 to $8 billion dollars a year from crop and livestock loss among other impacts. The effects of drought can be felt in every aspect of society, the economy and the environment. While the immediate effects are devastating, long term effects can persist, compounding damage and loss.
Over time, drought can weaken an ecosystem by stressing plant and animal resources. Flora and fauna not able to find adequate resources are more vulnerable to predation and disease. A widespread drought can impact entire populations. The environment also suffers. Dry conditions can increase not just the number but the severity of fires. Normally, low-lying wet areas may slow or stop wildfires. During severe conditions, these natural fire breaks do not exist. During the 1998 drought in Florida, over 475,000 acres of land burned, causing over $500 million in damage.
Future
The National Climatic Data Center reviewed paleoclimatic data from the last 500 years to study the pattern of drought over time. The data suggest that there will be future severe droughts. While no one can predict when the next one will occur, what is certain is that the economic impact will be greater. The best plan is to develop mitigation strategies in the event of drought. Some examples include water recycling and restrictions.
Collecting rocks is a hobby that appeals to many people. As your rock collection grows, survey the rocks with a critical eye to spot some that might polish up into shiny stones worthy of display. Often these stones are so beautiful you may decide to make them into jewelry pieces. Load a rock tumbler with rocks, grit and water and begin the process of polishing your rocks.
Instructions
1. Look through the rocks you want to polish. Strive to gather a group of rocks that are all the same degree of hardness. Tumble rocks that are a variety of sizes (1 to 3 inches in length or diameter).
2. Place the rocks into the barrel of the rock tumbler, filling the barrel approximately three-quarters full of rocks.
3. Determine the size of the barrel to determine how much grit you must add. Add 3 tbsp. coarse grit to a 1.5 lb. barrel and add 4 tbsp. coarse grit to a 3 lb. barrel. Measure and sprinkle the grit over the rocks in the barrel.
4. Add water to the barrel until the water reaches the bottom of the upper layer of rocks.
5. Wipe off the outside of the barrel with paper towels, taking care to wipe clean the rim of the barrel to ensure a tight seal. Dry the rim also.
6. Put the lid on the rock tumbler barrel and push it down tightly to seal the barrel. Insert the sealed barrel into the tumbler.
7. Plug the tumbler in and turn it on. The tumbler barrel should begin to rotate around to tumble the rocks.
8. Make sure the rock tumbler is working properly and that there are no leaks before you leave it unattended. If you notice leaks, stop the rock tumbler and reseal the lid properly. Start the tumbler again.
9. Allow the rock tumbler to run day and night for one week.
10. Stop the rock tumbler after the time elapses and open the barrel. Pour the rocks and the grit into a bucket outside and rinse the rocks well with the garden hose. Continue rinsing the rocks and pouring off the water until the rocks are clean and no grit remains.
11. Check the rocks after the stage of tumbling. You should notice that many of the sharp and jagged corners are now gone and they are beginning to look smooth and rounded. If you find any rocks with large cracks, remove them from the group of rocks and do not continue tumbling these rocks. Finer grit will stick inside these cracks and may damage other rocks.
12. Rinse out the barrel and place the rocks back into the barrel. Make sure the barrel is at least one-half full and not more than three-quarters full of rocks.
13. Add the same amount of fine grit as coarse grit to the barrel. Fill the barrel to the same level with water and seal the barrel again. Place the barrel into the rock tumbler and run it again for one week.
14. Turn the rock tumbler off and rinse the rocks in the same fashion. Place the rocks back into the barrel a third time, again making sure the barrel is at least one-half full and not more than three-quarters full.
15. Add the pre-polish grit, using 4 tbsp. for a 1.5 lb. barrel and 5 tbsp. for a 3 lb. barrel. Fill the barrel with water to the same level and seal the barrel tightly.
16. Run the rock tumbler for one more week. Remove the rocks after the week elapses and rinse the rocks well with the garden hose.
Tags: rock tumbler, coarse grit, coarse grit barrel, grit barrel, into barrel
One of the original 13 Colonies, Maryland has a unique history all its own. It became a land of tobacco plantations, was a border colony for slavery, home to the Chesapeake Bay ports of Baltimore and Annapolis, and was a rarity in being a Catholic enclave among the Protestants of English North America.
Time Frame
The colony of Maryland came into being when Lord Baltimore applied for a charter from King Charles I of England. He died before the charter was granted, so it went to his son, the second Lord Baltimore, on June 20, 1632. The Colonial period lasted from this date until the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Geography
The original charter of Maryland defined the colony to lie north of Virginia and south of the 40th parallel, an area comprising roughly 12 million acres. This poor definition resulted in territorial overlaps with the colonies of Virginia and Maryland. The northern border was fixed along the Mason-Dixon line in 1760. The southern border came to be defined by the Potomac River. Colonial Maryland was firmly centered on the Chesapeake Bay, although by the end of the period substantial farming towns such as Frederick (in the geographic center of the state) were becoming important.
History
Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, founded the colony with an eye towards creating a haven for persecuted British Catholics in 1632. Baltimore's father was the original applicant, and the grant of the charter was widely viewed at the time as compensation for being stripped of high office upon the elder Baltimore's announcement that he had converted to Catholicism. The Calverts recruited more settlers from among Protestant ranks than Catholics, but the colony did succeed in becoming a safe place for Catholic immigration in the largely Protestant British America.
In the 17th century, most Europeans in Maryland lived in small, rough family farms. The principal cash crop was tobacco, which came to dominate the Maryland colonial economy. By the 18th century, the colony had developed a plantation economy, with roughly 40 percent of the population being slaves. There was extensive use of prison labor and indentured servitude as well. Tobacco and other products were moved down river to the Chesapeake Bay for trade in the larger Atlantic merchant economy. By the time of the Revolution, Baltimore was the second most important port in the Southern colonies, after Charleston.
1642 saw a small war with the local Susquehannock Indians, which Maryland lost. In 1654, during the English Civil War, Protestant and Parliamentary forces seized control of the colony and sent its governor into exile in Virginia.
Significance
With much of the economy based on plantations farming tobacco as a cash crop, and with Quaker Pennsylvania dominating the northern border, Maryland became the northernmost colony with widespread slavery. Although other colonies further north also had legalized slavery, it was a very minor presence and easily abolished north of Maryland either before, during or after the Revolution.
The second Lord Baltimore was a convert to Catholicism, and founded the colony as a haven for Catholics fleeing persecution in Britain. However, the majority of the European population of Maryland was always Protestant. Despite this, Lord Baltimore did succeed in creating a safe haven for British Catholics and the Catholic identity continues to color Maryland into modern times.
Evolution
The Indian tribes that lived in Maryland included the Nanticoke, Powhatan and Susquehannock. Of the three, the Nanticoke and Powhatans were Algonquian-speaking peoples.
The Nanticoke people claimed descent from the Lenape, and lived mostly in what is now New Jersey and Delaware. They had early skirmishes with the settlers in Maryland, mostly because Nanticoke leaders resented English incursions, trading activities and the influx of liquor. Under pressure by white settlement, they migrated first to Pennsylvania, and finally into the Iroquois Confederacy by the 1750s.
The Powhatans were a confederacy of Algonquin-speakers who lived mostly to the south of Maryland, and were the people of the famed Pocahontas. Conflict with the English ground down the Powhatans, who virtually ceased to exist as an organized unit by the late 17th century.
The Susquehannocks have given their name to the Susquehannock River and lived in that area. With the help of Swedish traders, they defeated the early colonists of Maryland in battle. In return for a supply of weapons, other goods and promises of security for their southern frontier, they ceded to the Maryland Colony lands on the Chesapeake Bay. They were eventually forced to migrate south by pressure from the Iroquois, and their numbers were steadily whittled down by war and disease. They few that were not absorbed into the Iroquois were settled in Conestoga Town by the Pennsylvania Colony in 1763, only to be massacred by the Paxton Boys.
Tags: Lord Baltimore, Colonial Maryland, second Lord, second Lord Baltimore, 17th century, About Colonial, About Colonial Maryland
The Earth's biosphere consists of five levels of organization.
The biosphere consists of all living factors on Earth, including human beings and other animals, plants and microorganisms. The term biosphere was coined by Eduard Suess in 1875, but was further refined in the 1920s by Vladimir Vernadsky to denote its current scientific usage. The biosphere's five levels of organizational structure are a specific reference to the biosphere as it pertains to ecological and biological study.
Biomes
The biosphere is divided into regions called biomes. Biomes are the largest of the five organizational levels. Scientists classify biomes into five main types--aquatic, desert, forest, grassland and tundra--according to the University of California. The main reason for classifying the biosphere into biomes is to highlight the importance of physical geography on communities of living organisms. A biome may contain several ecosystems, and is defined by the geography, climate and the species native to the region. Factors to determine climate include average temperature, amount of rainfall and humidity. When categorizing species for classification purposes, scientists traditionally focus on the types of vegetation native to a particular region.
Ecosystems
Ecosystems are the second organizational classification when examining the five levels of the biosphere. An ecosystem contains biotic factors such as animals and plants, and abiotic factors such as oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. Ecosystems are divided based on the interaction and the transfer of energy. Within each ecosystem, energy is consumed, and matter is cycled in the form of chemicals and nutrients between different groups of organisms and their environment. A basic example is that primary producers, such as plants obtain energy from the sun through photosynthesis. Consumers, such as animals, eat the plants obtaining the energy. When the animals die, decomposers eat the bodies and release chemicals that enrich the soil, allowing plants to grow.
Communities
A community is the third level of organization in the biosphere. Multiple populations of species make up a community. Communities share a particular habitat or environment. The communities in a particular location are limited to species that can survive given the region's abiotic factors such as temperature, pH and nutrients found in the air and soil. The communities of species are also limited by biotic factors such as predators and available food sources.
Populations
A population is the forth level of the biosphere, and includes all members of a species living in a particular habitat. A population can include thousands of members or only a few hundred members. The addition or removal of a population can affect an entire ecosystem. Indicator species are important groups that scientists use to determine the health of an ecosystem, while the presence of keystone species indicates the presence of certain other populations in the same ecosystem.
Organisms
Organisms are the final level of the biosphere, and are defined as living creatures that use DNA to replicate. Single organisms are referred to as individuals, while groups of organisms are considered a species. Organisms are usually classified in one of two ways: by their cellular structure or by the way they obtain energy. Cellular structure divides organisms into prokaryotes, with free-floating DNA inside cells without a nuclei and eukaryotes, whose DNA is contained in cell's nucleus. Organisms are considered either autotrophs, such as plants, that obtain energy by feeding themselves, and heterotrophs, such as animals, who must consume other organisms to obtain energy.
Geologists get to explore the various elements and physical aspects of the Earth. Those looking to work as a geologist need to obtain a bachelor's degree in geology from an accredited college. Coursework focuses on geology, atmospheric science and various engineering concepts related to geological work. In addition, geologists learn to analyze various elements of the Earth, such as air and water, using various instruments.
Employment Options
Geologists can find work in a variety of industries. Notably, geologists work with local, state and federal government agencies. They analyze data and prepare studies to help officials weight the benefits or consequences related to actions being debated in legislature. Geologists can also work for engineering companies and environmental consulting organizations. Some common industries that employ geologists include the petroleum and mining industries.
Starting Salary
Entry-level geologists earn an average salary of $39,317 after completion of a bachelor's degree, according to North Carolina State University. This starting salary puts entry-level geologists in the lowest 10 percent earnings wise for geoscientists. As of May 2008, the lowest 10 percent in the field earned under $41,700, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As with any starting salary expectations, they can be higher for those who exhibit exceptional academic performance or seek out internships while in college.
Advanced Degrees
Those going on to complete additional education, such as earning a master's or doctorate degree, earn a higher average starting salary. Those with a master's degree earn on average $50,169 annually, as of 2008, according to the UC Davis Geology Department. Geologists going on to earn doctoral degrees earned an average starting salary of $84,290 during the same time period.
Other Salary Considerations
In addition to the variances that can occur because of the different degree levels attained, discrepancies in starting salary can occur depending on the type of work and industry a new graduate seeks employment with. Those entering the petroleum industry with a bachelor's degree will earn an average salary of $62,000 annually. Mining industry geologists with the same level of education start at an average $38,500 to $40,000 annually. In the long-run, those working with oil and gas companies tend to earn more, but this industry is volatile.
Tags: bachelor degree, earn average, starting salary, average annually, average salary
Chemical Oceanographers spend a lot of time in the water.
Scientists who study the sea are called oceanographers, a profession concerned with all aspects of the oceans and their boundaries. Those who specialize in studying the chemical composition of ocean waters and floors are called chemical oceanographers. They work primarily in labs or on ships, and--not surprisingly--also spend a lot of their time in the water.
Marine Environment
Chemical oceanographers use their studies of the chemical processes that occur both in the water and on the sea bed to better understand the effects of pollution on the marine environment. They also monitor the temperatures of the oceans with respect to global warming.
Education
Though a Bachelor of Science is acceptable for positions as a research or laboratory assistant or technician, a Master's degree is required to become a junior oceanographer. A Doctorate is required for some intermediary and senior oceanographer positions.
Employment
Chemical oceanographers find employment with private firms, government agencies and research institutes. They may also teach and do research at colleges and universities.
Additional Skills
Chemical oceanographers who advance to the intermediate and senior levels need both management skills and public relations skills. Scientists also must be able to clearly express themselves verbally and write effectively.
The Outdoors
For obvious reasons, oceanographers must be proficient in diving and must be comfortable both in and on the water. Field work often consists of collecting specimens first-hand from the marine environment, and then studying them aboard specially equipped laboratory ships.
Tags: both water, Chemical oceanographers, They also, time water
Find activities for children in Sandusky County, Ohio
From atop the thrill rides at the Cedar Point amusement park to the depths of the Seneca Caverns, the county of Sandusky, Ohio, offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for families with children. Whether you are looking for fast-paced entertainment or an educational tour through natural wonders, Sandusky, Ohio, is a destination spot for you and your family.
Cedar Point
The first destination for many families looking for attractions in Sandusky, Ohio, is often Cedar Point. Located on 364 acres, Cedar Point includes more than 150 rides, live shows and other attractions. For the thrill seekers in your family, the amusement park boasts the world's largest collection of roller coasters, 17 in total, along with 58 other thrill rides. In 2010, Cedar Point introduces a new water ride, "Shoot the Rapids," featuring two lift hills that drop into roaring rapids. However, Cedar Point has more than thrills to offer. For families with young children, the park offers four areas specifically designed for small children, including "Planet Snoopy" with seven rides and special live appearances by the characters from the famous comic strip. There are also many live performances, food and accommodations attached to the park. The six adjoining properties offer special park packages and are family friendly. Each year in September and October, the park transforms into a park of thrills and chills with intense Halloween fun. Though many of the haunted houses and scary trails are too frightening for young children, there are specially marked areas for young ones to enjoy, too. The park annually opens in mid-May and closes on November 1.
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Dr. (off US 6)
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-627-2350
cedarpoint.com/
Seneca Caverns
Located a few miles south of Bellevue, Ohio, is one of the state's largest underground caverns and an adventure for the entire family. Visitors can take a one-hour guided walking tour through the underground wonderland, descending 110-feet underground through seven levels. The largest of the levels you will explore is 250-feet long. At the lowest floor, you will find a clear flowing stream called the "Ole' Mist'ry River." Tours require much walking, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and a light jacket. It is also recommended that adults do not carry their child since some of the steps can be steep and slippery. Children will enjoy the gift shop with a wide selection of gems, crafts and mineral specimens, and little ones can pan for gems and fossils at the Seneca Mining Company, a special attraction for children. During the summer months, tours leave every 20 minutes, so you will not wait long to start your adventure at this geological wonder.
Seneca Caverns
P.O. Box 595
Flat Rock, OH 44828-0595
419-483-6711
senecacavernsohio.com/
Fremont Speedway
Racing fans can find high-speed action and family fun at the Fremont Speedway. The speedway is located west of Sandusky on the Sandusky County Fairgrounds in Fremont, Ohio. The Fremont Speedway offers a full slate of racing action. The racing season starts in April and goes through October. Racing competition includes 410 and 305 Sprint car races, Dirt Trucks and late model racing. Many local and national teams compete at the race track, which also is one of the first dirt tracks to install softwalls as a safety measure. The environment is family friendly, and the track offers a low-cost night out on the town.
Fremont Speedway
2111 Hayes Ave.
Fremont, OH 43420
419-333-0478
fremontohspeedway.com/index.html
Tags: Cedar Point, Fremont Speedway, Sandusky County, Sandusky Ohio, Seneca Caverns, amusement park
Mount Ranier looms over Seattle, ready to erupt without notice.
There is no metropolitan area on the planet that can rest without fear of natural disasters. Coastal cities live with the threat of floods, cyclones or hurricanes, mountain cities must deal with blizzards, and cities near tectonic faults are especially at risk. Seattle is in the quiet Pacific Northwest, though not completely protected from natural disasters. The city is well prepared for natural disasters, according to the San Francisco Gate.
Volcanoes
The infamous Mount Saint Helens volcano is about 100 miles south of Seattle. In 1980, it unleashed a furious eruption upon the region, claiming 57 lives and burying the surrounding area with a blast of pyroclastic material. The blast did not affect the immediate Seattle metro area, but it serves as a sobering reminder that Mount Rainier, an even less monitored volcano, sits even closer. In an eruption, it could significantly alter the face of the Seattle-Tacoma metro area with lahars, another term for mud flows. Mount Rainier is a volcano for study because of its proximity to a metro population and its high potential for devastation.
Earthquakes
Nestled on a geologically active tectonic plate, Seattle has a history of experiencing earthquakes. With earthquakes as unpredictable as they are dangerous, the United States Geological Survey claims that the Seattle fault represents a major hazard. The 20th century brought two major quakes to Seattle, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 1949 and a 6.5 magnitude quake in 1965. These were not merely crustal quakes. Their cause was from movement deep beneath the surface of the earth. The Seattle fault lies beneath urban development and glacial activity, hindering attempts to study the fault to provide a warning system.
Landslides
Seattle is famous for its particularly dreary, wet weather. This climate, along with snow-melt from the Cascade Mountains, can trigger massive landslides. On such slide was the fabled Electron Mudflow nearly 500 years ago. While such a landslide would not immediately affect the Seattle urban area, utilities and transportation networks would experience significant disruption. Additionally, landslides accompany earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, providing a potential one-two punch to the city.
Liquid Threats
Seattle has a flood monitoring system in place because of the constant flooding of area rivers. But since these rivers are relatively young, they constantly shift and erode, making them difficult to predict. These floods can threaten the foundation of area buildings. Deadly tsunamis are also a potential reality in Seattle, despite the perceived security of its Puget Sound location, a tsunami could flood waterways around the city almost instantly.
Tags: area with, metro area, Mount Rainier, natural disasters, Seattle fault
Igneous rock forms when hot, liquid magma cools and hardens.
According to author David M. Thompson, the precursor to all rock is magma. Once magma rises to the Earth's surface it is referred to as lava. When lava cools off, it hardens into rock. Rocks are categorized into three types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Rocks and minerals are created, transformed and destroyed through a series of processes referred to as the rock cycle. Create a model of the rock cycle as a school project or simply as a science craft at home.
Instructions
Gather Rock Samples
1. Granite is an igneous rock used in construction and landscaping.
Obtain three to five small samples of igneous rock from a school supply store or local craft store. Igneous rocks are formed when hot, liquid magma cools and hardens. Purchase samples such as obsidian, pumice or granite.
2. Sandstone is known for its beauty and is used for countertops and tiles.
Purchase three to five small samples of sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock forms when rocks and minerals are broken down in a process called weathering. Layers are formed when weathered rock and plant and animal remains are pressed together over time. Gather samples such as breccia, sandstone or shale.
3. Gneiss is metamorphic rock that is used as decorative stone.
Pick out three to five metamorphic rock samples. Metamorphic rock forms when heat and pressure are applied to igneous or sedimentary rock, causing changes in shape and appearance. Buy samples such as gneiss, marble or slate.
Assemble the Model
4. Cut an 18-inch by 18-inch square out of the side of a sturdy cardboard box. Lightly trace a large circle onto the square. Use a ruler and a pencil to divide the circle into 10 equal sections.
5. Write the word "magma" in the top, middle section of the circle using a black permanent marker. Move in a counterclockwise fashion as you put together your rock cycle model. Draw a curved arrow that points to the next section of the circle.
6. Label the second section of the circle with the word "crystallization" with a colored marker. Label the third section "igneous rock," using a black marker. Use a hot glue gun to attach the igneous rocks that you have chosen for the display.
7. Title the fourth section "weathering, erosion and deposition." Write "sediment" with a black marker in the fifth section. Use a colored marker to write "compaction and cementation" in the sixth section. Glue the sedimentary rocks onto the seventh section and label it "sedimentary rock" at the top with a black marker.
8. Write the words "heat and pressure," using a colored marker, at the top of the eighth section. Label the ninth section "metamorphic rock," using a black marker and glue the metamorphic rock samples onto this section. Use a colored marker to write the word "melting" in the tenth and final section. Use a black marker to draw short curved arrows to connect each section of the rock cycle model.
Tags: black marker, colored marker, cools hardens, forms when, igneous rock
Thirteen majestic natural formations, erupting from a defined area of the southwestern desert floor, are designated as Monuments by the U.S. Department of Interior. To better understand these Monuments of the Southern Plateau, more specifically referred to as the Southern Colorado Plateau, you must first identify, locate and grasp the magnitude of the area that is home to the monuments.
Southern Colorado Plateau
The Southern Colorado Plateau encompasses the four-corners area of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. Its name is derived from the Colorado River that meanders through it. Each of the four states is home to one or more of the 13 National Monuments.
Monuments
Because of the significance of the Monuments in the Southern Colorado Plateau, the U.S. National Park Service is responsible for their protection and preservation. New Mexico contains six of these, with five in Arizona, one in Utah and one in Colorado.
Magnitude and Significance
The Southern Colorado Plateau Monuments are combinations of mountains, canyons, deserts and rivers. Because of the unique ecology, geology, history, culture, climate, vegetation, and wildlife information each of the monuments provides, they are individually important not only as sightseeing destinations, but also for their historical and scientific value that must be preserved.
Simple forces are one of the basic topics in physical science.
Physical science covers a wide array of topics, including forces and motion, chemical reactions and the turbulence of weather. You can immediately turn your students on to the wonders of physical science by demonstrating a few activities on the first day of school.
Egg in Motion
You can show students how an object moves according to Newton's first law of motion by setting up a falling egg demonstration. Fill a glass with two cups of water. Add in five drops of food coloring, any color. Place an aluminum pie tin on top of the glass. Place a toilet paper tube vertically in the center of the pie pan. Place an egg on top of the toilet paper tube. Since the egg is bigger than the opening of the tube, it will sit on top of it without falling through. Using a fast action, push the pie pan out horizontally. If the pan is pushed out quickly, it will not knock over the glass of water, and will cause the egg to drop into the glass of colored water.
Permanent Marker Rainbow
You can demonstrate an eye-catching chemical reaction by making a permanent marker rainbow. Place a white T-shirt over a cup, and wrap a rubber band around it to secure it. Stretch the T-shirt taut. This will create a circle in which the rainbow will appear. Using six different colors of permanent markers, draw six dots in the center of the circle. You can use any colors. Fill a squeeze bottle with rubbing alcohol. When the alcohol is squeezed onto the marker in the middle of the T-shirt, it will react by causing the colors to spread out rapidly.
Bottle Hurricane
Demonstrate make a hurricane inside of a plastic soda bottle. Pour six cups of water into a 2-liter soda bottle. Put in 10 drops of food coloring, any color. Place a second empty soda bottle on top of the first, aligning the openings. Wrap duct tape around the openings, sealing them tightly. Turn the bottle upside down, and watch the hurricane swirl inside the bottle.
Tags: soda bottle, color Place, coloring color, coloring color Place, cups water
GIS maps can show custom tourist attractions for every visitor.
Many professional disciplines use Geographical Information Systems to manage, analyze and display large amounts of data in a digital map format. Economists, geologists, environmental planners and archaeologists all use GIS applications to analyze data and better plan their activities. This data can be configured, displayed on a map and analyzed for many purposes.
Impact to the Tourist
Tourism has historically been dependent on the character of the destination, including attractions, beaches and resorts. GIS data can have a tremendous impact in the tourism industry, bringing custom refined data to the end user, the tourist, regarding any specific area. This GIS and GPS systems can draw visitors to an otherwise unknown area based on what it has to offer the tourist.
Tourism Development
GIS can play a significant role in tourism development. Coupled with other systems, such as Global Positioning Systems, Computer Assisted Drafting and remote sensing, GIS becomes a dynamic tool that incorporates changes instantly to the database that occur over time. Community leaders and planners can use GIS to provide the real-time data they need to make decisions, such as economic, social and environmental factors, to assist them in tourism planning.
Basemap Development
GIS provides digital information that can be used for the development of printed maps for brochures, attraction maps and other advertising. This same information can be used to create printable maps or visual references for tourism-related websites, allowing travelers to explore and plan their trip before it begins.
Digital Information
GIS data provides digital files for internet and mobile mapping. This data is used by applications such as Mapquest and Google Maps to provide online mapping as well as mobile applications for automobile GPS systems and smart phones. This digital information is becoming more commonplace with travelers. It is critical for the tourism industry to contribute data to these systems to ensure the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Interactive Applications
Tourists are able to create customized maps along historic routes, such as the Oregon Trail. Tourists can map historical societies that no longer exist, walking tours of historic areas, paddling routes, hiking and walking trails. You can download maps to portable electronic devices or print them while on the vacation itself.
Tags: plan their, provides digital, This data, tourism industry
Make a topographical relief map for a school project.
A good school project for a geography class or for an art class is to make a topographical relief map. Making these three-dimensional maps of land masses can be challenging, if you are attempting any degree of accuracy or of maintaining a scale. Most maps will, by necessity, have some artistic license invoked as you won't be able to sculpt every mountain exactly, but you'll get across the idea of the mountain range in the appropriate spot. To make your map as accurate as possible, start by collecting elevation data from available government sources.
Instructions
1. Collect land mass data on the area you are going to map. Go to the U.S. Geological Survey link in Resources for elevation data. This will help you develop a scale for your map.
2. Cut your cardboard to the size you want for the base of your map. Spread glue across the surface to help the modeling clay or paper clay adhere.
3. Cover the cardboard base with modeling clay or paper clay. Paper clay, available at hobby and craft stores, is less likely to crack when drying and you can paint it when either wet or dry.
4. Start building up hills, mountains and other land formations by adding more clay. Pinch the clay and work it into the proper shapes, either rounded or jagged or flat-topped if mesas. Use your fingers to mold and shape the clay, or use simple tools such as a butter knife or toothpicks.
5. Paint the map. Use different shades of greens and browns to indicate the different elevations. Or paint by feature, making mountains brown and grasslands green. Let it dry.
Tags: elevation data, modeling clay, modeling clay paper, paper clay, school project
You survived kindergarten roundup and all of the parent-teacher conferences that followed. Thinking of gifts to buy for students completing each grade and going on to the next can be challenging. Fourth graders can often be hard to buy for, but there are some practical and fun ideas for a fourth grade send off party. Does this Spark an idea?
Books
Give the gift of books to a fourth grader. You may have heard groans when a book was in the mix, but it was probably because of the type of book. Unless you know that the student would like a dictionary or an encyclopedia, don't give those types of books as gifts. Give the student a mystery or an adventure book. The "choose your own ending" books are often a success.
Compact Microscope
Purchase a compact microscope. You can purchase a mini microscope with 45X magnification for under $10. Mini microscopes aren't cumbersome; they're compact and many come with a carrying case so that they can be taken on a picnic to explore bugs or to the beach to take a closer look at sand.
Magic Tricks
Giving magic tricks is a unique and fun idea. There are kits with the materials needed for magic tricks that are explained in an accompanying manual for under $10. You could also give a book of magic tricks that uses cups, string or other household items that are close at hand.
Science Kits
Purchasing a science kit for a fourth grader is a creative gift. Science kits range in price, depending upon the extent of the experiments. There's no shortage of types of science kits, which range from geology to physics.
Tags: magic tricks, fourth grader, magic tricks that, tricks that
Trilobites were the most successful species of the Cambrian period
The Cambrian period spanned the time between 543 to 490 million years ago. During the four billion years prior to the start of this period, the only life forms that had evolved were plankton, bacteria and multi-celled algae. The Cambrian period marked an era of increasingly favorable planetary conditions, which encouraged an "explosion" of life. Many species of animals and plants evolved during the Cambrian period.
Trilobites
Trilobites (so-called because of the three lobes that formed their body) were arthropods. Arthropods have an external skeleton, a segmented body and jointed appendages. There were many different trilobites during the Cambrian period and most were predators or scavengers living on the seabed. Some were able to swim and fed on plankton. Trilobites are thought to be the first life forms to develop complex eye structures. Trilobites were the most successful and diverse creatures at the time, but by the end of the Cambrian period the advancing glaciers and subsequent changes in the chemistry of the sea caused many to become extinct.
Brachiopods
Brachiopods were diverse sea-floor dwellers during the Cambrian period. Brachiopods were invertebrates that had clam-like shells, although they are not related to the modern clam. Some brachiopods had a long fleshy appendage which they used to anchor themselves to the sea bed. All brachiopods are filter-feeders. More brachiopods than trilobites survived after the end of the Cambrian period and brachiopods have a greater number of living descendants.
Sponges and Coral
Descendants of ancient coral can still be found today.
Stromatolites are coral-like structures created during the Cambrian period by colonies of bacteria. True corals and sponges also developed during this period. Most corals and sponges fed on bacteria and other food particles in the water. Descendants of Cambrian sponges and corals exist today.
Other Animal Life Forms
A number of other life forms thrived during the Cambrian period, such as various mollusks, nautiloids and echinoderms. The ancestors of modern echinoderms like starfish, sea urchins and sand dollars evolved during the Cambrian period. Some nauliloids looked like long, thin ice-cream cones. Types of nautiloid were numerous during this period and a few species exist today. They are often called the "living fossil" as their structure has changed little since they first evolved.
Algae
Plant life was limited to single and multi-celled green algae during the Cambrian period. Land was still a hostile environment so all plant species evolved in the sea. Single-celled algae grew together in colonies, giving them the appearance of being one plant. Some Cambrian multi-celled algae looked like modern kelp, or seaweed.
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Brunton compasses perform several functions that require many moving parts.
Brunton compasses are the industry standard in lensatic compasses, although the company does manufacture more elementary orienteering tools. As the company has been manufacturing its standard line of compasses for decades, there are numerous differences in materials and style that have arisen through the years. However, most Brunton lensatic compasses have the same basic construction, and repair procedures are the same throughout.
Instructions
1. Test all functions and make notes of irregularities. Test to see that the the needle will settle at north within 10 seconds. Fully extend all hinges and make sure they will maintain their desired position.
2. Remove all external screws on the body of the compass starting with the small screw to the left of the bezel that locks the dial into place. If internal mechanisms are faulty or "sticky," open the bezel by removing the lock ring of its outer circumference with a fine pick tool. On newer compasses, this ring is made of rubber, but on older models it is a steel ring that must be carefully pried where the ends of the ring meet.
3. Remove the compass needle by lifting it from its pin. A slow needle should be re-magnetized. Older needles are a single piece of steel that can be strengthened by being rubbed over a permanent magnet, while newer needles incorporate two small bar magnets that must be serviced with a magnetizer or replaced outright.
4. Press the rider gear on the side of the case (the "rider" is the dial the corrects for magnetic deviation) out of the compass from within, then gently lift out the rider. If the inclination bearing is gritty it should be removed for thorough cleaning by taking out the screw that holds it to the bottom of the case. On some models it will be necessary to remove the needle pin by carefully turning it counterclockwise with pliers or a wrench.
5. Clean all removed components as thoroughly as possible using rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs or a lint-free paper towel. Inspect the rider cogs for irregularities. Most Brunton compasses use soft brass screws to avoid damaging the compass with over-torquing, so inspect all screws for uniform pitch and replace them with identical screws from a hardware store as necessary.
6. Clean the internal space of the compass as thoroughly as possible with rubbing alcohol. Install all removed components in the reverse order of disassembly, checking the functionality of each component before moving on. If the hinges are persistently loose, apply automotive thread locker to the screws and tighten them as much as possible. As a last resort, apply a very small amount of strong adhesive to the hinge pins to create friction.
Tags: Brunton compasses, lensatic compasses, removed components, rubbing alcohol, that must, thoroughly possible