Hotels In The Dalles Oregon

The Columbia River

Oregon towns are widely spaced in the majestic beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. When heading east, The Dalles is the last bastion of civilization for more than 100 miles. Luckily, The Dalles is the kind of town a traveler wouldn't mind stopping in. The Dalles has a charming historic downtown, where pioneer era old buildings are filled with antique shops and diners. The Dalles is also directly situated on the Columbia River, providing access for fishing, boating and windsurfing. Visitors to The Dalles can choose from a variety of comfortable hotels.

Cousin's Country Inn

The Cousin's Country Inn is attached to one of the more popular restaurants in the Gorge. Cousin's Restaurant is famous throughout the Northwest for their down-home feel, tractor-and-train decor, hearty food and family atmosphere. The attached hotel lacks the kitsch of the restaurant but is clean and comfortable. Cousins Country Inn is a good home base from which to enjoy the Gorge's water sports, history and geology. The hotel offers reasonable rates and easy access to I-84.

Cousin's Country Inn

P.O. Box 723

2114 W 6th Street

The Dalles, Oregon 97058

800-848-9378

cousinscountryinn.com

Shilo Inn Suites Hotel

The Dalles Shilo Inn sits right on the banks of the Columbia River. Though more expensive than other hotels, this popular Northwest chain has a reputation for quality and comfort. This hotel is also attached to a well-reviewed restaurant, The Portage Grill. The Dalles Shilo Inn offers room service and can accommodate large groups with convention and banquet facilities. Suites are available, and room decor strives to capture the essence of the Columbia, which is visible from all north-facing rooms.

Shilo Inn Suites Hotel

3223 Bret Clodfelter Way

The Dalles, OR 97058

541-298-5502

shiloinns.com

Super 8

You can find one of the more affordable but dependable hotel options in The Dalles as at the Super 8 Hotel. Room rates are lower here, and the hotel is geared primarily toward families. The Super 8 has an outdoor pool, which can be useful in a town whose summer temperatures frequently exceed 105 degrees. Pets are allowed with small fee, and kids stay free. Accommodations are simple but satisfactory. They have many of the attributes found in the more expensive hotels. This includes fridge and microwave options, non-smoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi Internet access. Like Cousins, the Super 8 is not river view, but is only a short drive from the water.

Super 8 Hotels-The Dalles

609 Cherry Heights Road

Cherry Heights and West 2nd

The Dalles, OR 97058 US

541-296-6888

super8.com

Tags: Columbia River, Cousin Country, Cherry Heights, Dalles 97058, Dalles Oregon, Dalles Shilo, more expensive

Science Fair Projects On Soil Erosion

Soil erosion can reduce the land available for farming.

Soil erosion is the wearing away of soil, often by wind or water. This is a serious problem in some areas, as arable soil is reduced by erosion. Science fair projects on soil erosion can take a variety of forms, from examining different types of erosion, to looking at ways to prevent erosion. If you have open areas near you, you can design and experiment to study erosion as it happens. Other soil erosion projects can be conducted indoors.

Preventing Erosion

This science fair project on soil erosion is appropriate for students in elementary school. Fill two cake tins with soil. Plant grass seed in one tin and water it daily. Place the tin in a sunny spot and in a two to three weeks, your grass will be around three inches high. In the other tin, place the same type of soil and moisten it with water. Take both tins outside and place them side by side. Raise one end of each tin by six to eight inches by placing them on wooden blocks or bricks. Use a watering can to pour water over both tins. Note how much soil in each tin washes away. The grass should hold onto the soil and prevent it from washing away. You can repeat this activity using different types of plants. Discuss which type of plant prevents erosion best.

Shape and Erosion

This science fair project tests the effect of land shape on soil erosion. It is suitable for elementary and middle school students. Use three flat baking pans or plastic trays. Place a cup of sand on each tray. On one tray, shape the sand into two mountains; on the second tray, shape the sand into two mountains and cover the mountains with tissue paper or plastic. On the third tray, flatten the sand out. Make a hole in the bottom of a Styrofoam cup. Use a watering can to water the sand in each tray. Repeat this with the other two trays, using the same amount of water for each tray. Discuss the erosion that occurred in each tray and which tray had the least erosion.

Measuring Erosion

In this science fair project, older elementary and middle school students can measure rates of erosion at different locations. Chose several different locations that are on a slope. You can compare different degrees of slope with similar soil types; the same degree of slope with different soil types; or areas with different types of plant cover. For each site, make two or three sample collectors by cutting the tops off plastic water or soda bottles. Bury each container at the bottom of the slope, so that the edge of the bottle is at the same level as the soil. Weigh the amount of soil that collects in each container every two or three days. Dry the soil in a low oven before weighing. Average results from the containers at each site and graph the results. Discuss the effect of terrain, weather and ground cover on the amount of soil collected at each site.

Barriers to Erosion

This science fair projects tests different types of barriers used to prevent soil erosion. It is appropriate for middle school students. Fill a large plastic tray with soil. Use wood or plastic to make barriers in different configurations in the tray. For example, large wooden dowels placed in a zig zag pattern down the tray. Take the tray outside and elevate one end using bricks or wooden blocks. Place a second tray at the end to collect any soil that runs off. Use a watering can to pour water down the tray. Remove any soil that collects in the second tray, dry it in a low oven and weigh it. Repeat the project using a differently shaped barrier. Discuss which style of barrier worked best to prevent soil erosion.

Tags: soil erosion, different types, each tray, each site, Erosion This

Sources Of Tungsten

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal.

Tungsten, or wolfram, is a gray metal that is used in the filaments of lightbulbs and in drilling equipment as tungsten carbide. It's always contained within an ore, a type of rock that contains valuable minerals or metals. The mining process requires that the ore be crushed and the tungsten separated out, sometimes magnetically. Tungsten's main ores, or the rock it's found in, are ferberite, or heubnerite. Other ores are schleeite and wolframite. These ores are located underground in narrow veins.

China

China has the largest reserves of tungsten in the world, at around 60 percent. China exports mostly ammonium paratungstate, followed by tungsten oxides, ferrotungsten, tungsten metal powders, tungsten waste and scrap, tungsten carbide powder and other tungsten products. Chinese companies also have partnerships in tungsten mines in other countries, such as Australia. Some tungsten mines in China are in Tiantai County and Huangshi in Hubei province. The Chinese government controls the export of tungsten materials through quotas on products like ammonium paratungstate, tungsten concentrates and tungsten oxides. They've also closed tungsten mines that were becoming depleted, banning those that were operating without licenses and forcing those using outdated techniques, wasting resources or polluting the environment to improve or go out of business. Since these mines are not under state ownership, the government will allow those under bad management and with unmanageable debts to go bankrupt.

Increased Production

Tungsten's symbol on the periodic table is W, after Wolfram.

Because the policies of the Chinese government have caused world tungsten prices to increase, other governments have begun to increase their production of tungsten. For example, Bolivia began to increase production starting in 2001 and plans to reopen two closed mines.

Canada and Russia

The next largest deposits of tungsten ore outside China are in Canada.

The next largest deposits of tungsten ore outside of China are found in Canada, and its tungsten mines include the Mount Pleasant Mine in New Brunswick and the CanTung Mine in the Northwest Territories; the mining town nearby is called Tungsten. Next are Russia, with mines in Tyrnyauz and the Krasnoarmeysky and Pozharksy Districts; the United States, with mines near Boulder, Colorado; Kern County, California; and the Fern Mine in the Willow Creek mining district in Alaska; then South America and others.

Other Mines

Other mines include the Panasqueira mine in Castelo Branco in Portugal; the Hemerdon Mine in Devon, United Kingdom, which is not currently operational; the Ore Mountains on the border of Czechoslovakia and Germany; and the Mittersill mine in Salzburg, Austria. There's also the Buren-Tsogt tungsten mine in Mongolia; the Sangdong tungsten mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea; the Lonely Mine area and the area around Odzi in Zimbabwe; and mines in the Hoeyang and Chagang provinces of North Korea. Australia also has a mine in Kara in Tasmania and mines small amounts of tungsten from its gold-antimony mine in New South Wales.

Tags: tungsten mines, ammonium paratungstate, Chinese government, deposits tungsten, deposits tungsten outside

Three Ways Landforms Are Formed

Glacier National Park in Montana highlights landforms created by glaciers.

A landform is any natural feature on the Earth's land surface, such as islands, bays, volcanoes and mountains. Some of the more famous landforms serve as focal points of nature preserves and parklands, such as those operated by the U.S. National Park Service. Landforms are shaped by natural forces such as volcanic eruptions, soil erosion by wind and water, and glacial movements.

Volcanoes

The intensity of an eruption shapes a volcano.

Volcanoes are mountain peaks that contain openings from which lava, ash and other materials reach the earth's surface. The type of eruption often determines a volcano's landform. Shield volcanoes feature gentle slopes, especially at the top, that form from non-explosive eruptions. Composite volcanoes, or stratovolcanoes, are more explosive and have steeper slopes at the top due to thick lava flows that travel relatively short distances. Many lakes, such as southern Oregon's Crater Lake Calderas, a water-filled craters of volcano landforms.

Erosional Coastal Landforms

Seaside cliffs are formed from waves that undercut steep slopes.

Ocean waves create coastal landforms through erosion. Cliffs result from waves that pound rocky coast lines. The undercut forms a platform, or terrace, at the foot of the cliff. Inland retreat of cliffs occurs with the wave action until the waves lose energy from having to cross the terrace. Wave-generated erosion also carves sea notches, sea caves, sea arches and sea stacks.

Glacial Landforms

Cape Cod was formed from ancient glaciers.

Moving glaciers carve significant amounts of land to create steep and almost-vertical mountainsides, deep valleys, and rolling hills. Glaciers also contribute to coastal features, such as much of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. At Cape Code, a glacier migrated from southern Canada and northern New England approximately 21,000 years ago. As temperatures moderated, the glacial mass melted, raising sea levels and leaving deposits that would form the coastline and beaches of the cape.

National Parks That Feature Landforms

Crater Lake National Park features a crater-filled lake.

Many remarkable landforms have become enshrined as national parks. Yosemite National Park in Wyoming and Glacier National Park in Montana display steep mountainsides and deep valleys created by ancient glaciers. Glaciers also formed the Cape Cod National Seashore. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon features an example of a caldera, or crater-created lake.

Tags: National Park, Crater Lake, ancient glaciers, Crater Lake National, deep valleys

Design Blackboard Courses

Schools use Blackboard, an online teaching and learning platform, to offer online classes for distance learning. Blackboard Inc., which has been involved in online education since 1997, is one of the leading innovators of online learning technology. Designing courses for Blackboard is no different than designing courses to be taught in the classroom. The only real difference between the two is in the mode of delivery of the course content. Classroom courses tend to be lecture or discussion-based, whereas with Blackboard much of the material and communication between professors and students is in text format.

Instructions

1. Determine your time budget. Do not try to set the entire course up in one sitting. Online Blackboard courses take an entire semester to properly set up. After the initial setup, you can tweak the course in the future as needed. Because Blackboard instruction is simply an online format for teaching, determining how much time to devote to your course each week is as essential as it would be in any class. You will be communicating with your students almost daily, so decide how much time you have to devote to that task and then how much time you have for adding content. Stick with your routine once you have it established.

2. Divide your course material into smaller units so that it is easy to manage. You should make your textbook the basis for your course if possible. Your students will all have the same text and this makes an easy point of reference for class activities. Find the natural divisions within the book and use these as the outline for your course. For instance, if you have a 15-chapter book and a 15-week course to teach, you should cover one chapter per week. You can take those 15 chapters and create three five-chapter sections as well as the break points for examinations. Your textbook and its organization will help you immensely if you let it.

3. Use your announcements page to direct your students where they should go. This is the first thing you and your students see when logging into Blackboard, so this is where you should post your communications to the entire class. Be specific about telling them which assignments are next. Students are not good at guessing or anticipating, so be explicit in your instructions. You can also use this page to link to web pages that you may wish to incorporate into your course. Simply insert the proper URL into your announcement, and your students can easily access this material as well.

4. Use either the "Course documents" page or the "Assignments" page, but not both of them. Students need simplicity. Both of these pages accomplish basically the same task--they provide you with a place to post assignments like quizzes and exams. Keep them in one place to keep it simple. A good practice is to use the "Course documents" page to post your syllabus and then post links to quizzes, exams and other material after that. Students can simply scroll down to each subsequent assignment as they navigate through their coursework.

5. Make the discussion board an important part of your course. The discussion board can be used to talk about issues germane to the text material in an online forum involving your students. Assign students a topic and have them discuss it among themselves. Be sure to assign a grade for the assignment so that they will take it seriously, and be sure to participate in the discussion as well so that you can shape and direct it as you need to.

6. Create audio and video lectures whenever possible. Students will appreciate your effort on their behalf. This part takes some technical know-how, so you may wish to consult your school's information technology department for pointers. IT personnel are usually more than willing to help with technical instruction.

7. Create reading quizzes and exams at least three or four weeks in advance. This will keep you ahead of the game as far as adding course content goes and keep your students from having to wait for assignments to post. Most students will not work more than one month ahead at a time.

Tags: your course, your students, much time, quizzes exams, course content, Course documents, Course documents page

Wildcat An Oil Well

Oil and gas exploration is one of the most costly endeavors that oil and gas companies fund. This task is entirely speculative--there is no guarantee that it will yield a producing well. The task of finding oil or gas in regions that previously have not had a well drilled is called wildcatting. Many things are considered to select the site of highest probability of striking a pocket of gas or oil.

Instructions

1. Collect information about the soil composition, rock type and geology of the area that is under consideration for drilling the well. The geology of the area can give general information as to the likelihood of a pocket of trapped gas or oil existing.

2. Create a seismic survey of the region. The echoes returned to the survey equipment from a generated event can yield important information about the presence of trapped pockets of liquid, be it water or oil. Even gas pockets can be determined by this method.

3. Obtain a magnetometer scan of the area under consideration. This can detect very small changes in the magnetic field of the earth, which can be due to flowing oil.

4. Survey the area of concern with a "sniffer." These devices can detect extremely low levels of hydrocarbon gases that are often characteristic of oil or gas fields.

Tags: geology area, information about, under consideration

List Of Usgs Earth Science Careers

USGS personnel study the geographic features of the United States.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a bureau of the Department of the Interior. It is a scientific agency tasked with researching the natural resources and physical characteristics of the territory of the United States. Its near-exclusive focus on earth science, specifically geology, geography, geospatial studies and hydrology, mean that there are a wide variety of options for career earth scientists with the agency.

Geography

The USGS seeks to understand changes to the Earth's surface via the GAM, or Geographic Analysis and Monitoring program. By monitoring a wide variety of factors, including land cover and hydrology, earth scientists working in the GAM program seek to help inform decision makers and the public as to the nature and consequences of the interaction of human actions and natural processes.

Geology

Geologists working for the USGS work to understand and address issues arising from geologic sources such as volcanoes, earthquakes, mineral resource exploration and extraction, and groundwater distribution. There are also programs dedicated to geologic mapping, marine geology, and studying the geomagnetic properties of the Earth.

Hydrology

The USGS seeks to collect information on and understand the nature of the United States' water resources. Whether studying surface water features such as lakes, rivers, and streams or subsurface features like aquifers and wells, the hydrologists of the USGS work to achieve better knowledge of water resources and their role both in the natural world and in serving human needs.

Geospatial Data Gathering/Analysis

Supporting the National Map and National Atlas of the United States, the NGTOC, or National Geospatial Technical Operations Center, seeks the collection and analysis of accurate, consistent geospatial data (one of the primary roles of the USGS).

Tags: United States, earth scientists, USGS seeks, USGS work, water resources, wide variety

Horseback Riding Opportunities In The Black Hills Of South Dakota

Horseback riding is fun for all ages.

The Black Hills of South Dakota are home to many national parks, waterfalls, historic sites, wildlife and an array of activities. Some activities in these mountains include hiking, biking, picnicking and horseback riding. A few horseback opportunities are offered in the Black Hills of South Dakota for guests looking for an exciting and fulfilling adventure.

Dakota Badlands Outfitters at Palmer Gulch Stables

The Dakota Badlands Outfitters offers a variety of rides including a breakfast ride, a dinner ride and a horseback ride in the Black Hills. The Elkhorn trail ride was created in 2008 and travels through the Black Hills National Forest. The ride is an hour and a half long, and guests must be at least 6 years of age to ride. As of July 2010, adult riders are $40 and children ages 6 through 12 are $35. Breakfast and dinner rides are done on a horse-drawn covered wagon. For a list of times and availability, guests should call or visit the website.

Dakota Badlands Outfitters at Palmer Gulch Stables

12620 Highway 244

Hill City, SD 57745

605-574-3412

ridesouthdakota.com

Rockin R Rides

The Rockin R Rides features horseback trail rides, wagon rides and overnight stays. The rides range from one hour to a half a day. These rides take place seven days a week starting Memorial Day weekend and last through September. Horseback rides travel through the Black Hills, the mining area of Buckhorn Range and a view of the Crazy Horse Memorial on the half-a-day rides. As of July 2010, adult rides range from $24 to $200 (overnight) and children (ages 12 and under) range from $22 to $190 (overnight).

Rockin R Rides

24853 Village Ave.

Custer, SD 57730

605-673-2999

rockingrtrailrides.com

Blue Bell Stables at Custer State Park Resort

The Blue Bell Stables at Custer State Park Resort offers one hour, two hour, half-day and full-day trail rides. These horse rides take place through the Black Hills in Custer State Park. This is the only licensed horseback riding available in the Custer State Park. The half-day and full-day trail rides include a lunch; however, reservations are required. One- and two-hour horseback rides do not require reservations, but having a reservation is required for a guaranteed ride. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability. Children under the age of 4 are not allowed to ride. As of July 2010, adults will pay $30 to $195 and children (under the age of 12) are $25 to $195 for horseback riding tours.

Blue Bell Lodge at Custer State Park Resort

13389 U.S. Highway 16A

Custer, SD 57730

605-255-4772

custerresorts.com

Tags: Black Hills, Custer State, Custer State Park, State Park, Badlands Outfitters

What Is The Salary Range For A Vulcanologist

Vulcanologists study the impact of volcanoes on an area's topography.

Although there are 169 volcanoes in the United States, only a handful, 18, have been marked by the U.S. Geological Survey as having a high threat of eruption. Because of this, vulcanologists--geologists who specialize in studying volcanic activity and the rocks around volcanoes--aren't in high demand. Because their work is so specialized and limited to a small number of workers, determining a vulcanologist's average salary is difficult.

Average Salaries

The average vulcanologist may expect to earn between $30,000 to $90,000, according to the Oregon State University geosciences department, although the university reveals that some top-level vulcanologists earned annual salaries of $48,141 as of 2011. The salary range is developed as much from geologists' expected earnings as those of proper vulcanologists. Most entry-level geologists earn between $34,881 and $40,247 each year.

Working Conditions

Although vulcanologists may work around active volcanoes, many concentrate on the geology around inactive ones. They focus on geological formation of surrounding rocks and a volcano's impact on local topography rather than the geological or chemical processes involved inside an active volcano. Nonetheless, many vulcanologists spend a large portion of their work days outdoors.

Geochemist Salaries

Because vulcanology focuses on the gasses and interaction of magma with its environment, many vulcanologists are employed as geochemists. Geochemists may analyze samples from abandoned mines or from volcanic areas to determine their impact on and long-term stability in the environment. Geochemists with a bachelor's degree earn salaries in the mid-$40,000s, while those with master's degrees earn about $10,000 more a year, according to the American Chemical Society.

Comparison to All Geologist Salaries

Some of the best paid geologists are employed by extraction industries such as the petroleum industry and metals mining. Because there is little commercial impetus to study volcanoes, vulcanologists earn salaries that are smaller than typical for their field. The median salary for geoscientists is $81,220 as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Tags: earn between, earn salaries, many vulcanologists, their work

Dinosaur Fossils Found In Arizona

Dinosaur skull

Thousands of dinosaur fossils have been found in Arizona, making it one of North America's dinosaur hot spots. Fossil hunters began finding and naming dinosaurs in the mid-19th century, and the discoveries continue even today. From the early Triassic period (245 million years ago) to the late Cretaceous period (100 million years ago), dinosaurs roamed the area that is now Arizona, leaving behind a puzzle that scientists strive to put together.

Ammosaurus

From the early Jurassic period, the ammosaurus was a long-necked, small-headed herbivore. It was about 14 feet long and had a bulky body and long tail. Ammosaurus fossils have been found in Arizona, Connecticut and Nova Scotia, Canada.

Chindesaurus

The chindesaurus was a smaller dinosaur, measuring about 6 feet in length. Chindesaurus fossils have been found in the American Southwest, including Arizona and New Mexico. A fast-moving biped, this dinosaur probably weighed only about 65 pounds and lived during the late Triassic period.

Coelophysis

Hundreds of coelophysis fossils have been found in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The coelophysis dinosaurs lived in the late Triassic period. These dinosaurs were carnivores and possibly scavengers, and they hunted in packs. Fossilized reptiles and fish have been found in stomachs of coelophysis dinosaurs, and they had light, hollow bones.

Dilophosaurus

Dilophosaurus dinosaurs lived during the early Jurassic period, and their fossils have been found in Arizona and China. The dilophosaurus was a fast-running carnivore and had bird-like footprints. The first dilophosaurus fossils were found in Arizona in the 1940s.

Massospondylus

The massospondylus was a large herbivore that lived in the early Jurassic period. It was about 13 feet long and had a long neck and very long tail. Like modern birds, the massospondylus swallowed small pebbles to help it digest its food. It had a five-fingered hands with a thumb-like appendage, which it may have used to tear its food.

Scutellosaurus

The scutellosaurus lived during the early Jurassic period in what is now Arizona. Only 18 inches tall, the scutellosaurus was an herbivore that probably weighed about 22 pounds. It could walk on two or four legs and had hundreds of bony plates along its back and tail.

Sonorasaurus

Discovered by geology student Richard Thompson in 1995, the sonorosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur measuring about 50 feet long. It lived in the middle Cretaceous period. It had a giraffe-like neck, tiny head, and large, bulky body.

Tags: been found, have been, have been found, fossils have, fossils have been, found Arizona

Detect Metal Meteorites

Metal meteorites are a frequent but mysterious occurrence. Finding a meteorite can be an experience well worth the effort. Detecting a metal meteorite allows you to look at something that came from millions of miles away and get to know a bit more about our galaxy. Despite how advanced our space travel has become, humans are still fascinated with metal meteorites that find their way to earth. Here is an article that can teach you detect one. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Go to a desert or mountain range, particularly in places with few inhabitants. It is easier to detect a metal meteorite in places largely free of human infrastructure and urban development. The Rocky Mountains, for example, is a good place to detect meteorites.

2. Search for anything out of the ordinary in the area. Most of the time, meteorites leave large craters in the earth. Once a meteorite makes contact with the earth's surface, it quickly disperses. Usually if there is a big crater, there are small pieces of the metal meteorite nearby.

3. Use a metal detector to search for rocks that may contain metal. Even though this is no guarantee of a metal meteorite, rocks filled with metal could potentially contain fragments of a meteorite as every metal meteorite has metal in it.

4. Obtain knowledge about the different kinds of rocks on earth so you can narrow your search and save time when looking for meteorites. If you have little idea about the wide variety of rocks that exist, it will be hard for you to detect that meteorite. Go to a library or online to learn about rocks in the area where you will be conducting your search.

5. Navigate to the U.S. Geological Survey's website to acquire topographical charts. Search for places that have parched riverbeds or remote mountain ranges. These are great areas to detect metal meteorites.

Tags: metal meteorite, detect metal, rocks that, with metal, your search

Visit The Bonneville Salt Flats In Utah

Visit the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah

You may never have heard of the Bonneville Salt Flats, but if you watch TV or movies or read magazines, you have probably seen them many times without knowing it. The salt flats show up repeatedly in car commercials and other advertisements. Scenes from many movies, including "Independence Day," were filmed here. It is also the place where many land speed records have been set. If you're nearby, it is worth a trip.

Instructions

1. What are the Bonneville Salt Flats? In a nutshell, they are a geological and geographical anomaly, the bottom of an ancient inland ocean that no longer exists. The ancient ocean left behind a lot of salt in large area that is extremely flat. The area is now considered a desert, and it is surrounded by mountain ranges that used to be islands.

2. get there: Get off at Exit 4 on I-80 in Utah and head north. Take the first right on Salt Flats Road and head east until it dead-ends. There will be no signs to guide you at this point, and all you will see will be the salt flats all around you

3. What to do when you get there: Mark your odometer. Drive onto the flats. It will seem as if you are driving into the ocean at first. Just do it.. When you get onto the flats with your car, you can drive as fast as you want. That's what people do here. If you head due east, for a few miles, you will eventually come to the raceway, which is marked by small lines and flags/cones. More than likely, there will be official race teams or unofficial racers out here. Keep to the sides and watch them do their thing. No one will yell at you if you don't get in the way. Head west to get back to Salt Flats Road when you're ready to leave.

4. The first thing to do when you leave: Stop at the gas station before getting back on I-80 and use a hose to wash off your car. If you leave the heavy salt concentration on your car for more than a day or two, it will ruin your paint job and start to corrode the metal. If you have a rental car this, of course, is even more important -- if you want to get your deposit back.

Tags: Bonneville Salt, Bonneville Salt Flats, Salt Flats, Flats Road, Flats Utah

What Parts Of The Rock Cycle Occur At Earth'S Surface

New rocks are constantly being created through the rock cycle.

The rock cycle represents the sequence through which new rocks are formed and old rocks are recycled. Many different geological processes contribute to the rock cycle. Some occur only deep below the Earth, but several are in progress every day all around us on the surface.

Igneous Rock Formation

All rocks start out as magma or molten rock. While most igneous rock forms underground, volcanoes and areas along tectonic plate boundaries regularly deposit new rock onto the surface. New islands are created constantly and in some cases, very large islands are formed like the Hawaiian Islands or the country of Iceland.

Weathering

Once any rock formation is exposed to the elements on the surface, it will slowly be broken down by weather. Rain slowly dissolves and breaks apart rock, and during temperature changes water will turn into ice within small cracks and mechanically break down boulders. Release of stress at the surface also fractures rock bodies as they expand in their new environment, most notably at Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.

Sediment Transport

As material weathers it becomes smaller in size. Eventually it can be carried away by wind and water. Although catastrophic events can move huge boulders, most sediment is suspended as tiny grains in rivers and streams. In particularly dry areas the wind moves sand and small particles, which can form giant dunes.

Deposition

Transported material is eventually deposited. Deltas are common depositional landforms at the mouth of rivers, but any place from deserts to the bottom of the ocean can be an area of deposition. Deposition occurs in low energy environments when the amount of suspended load exceeds the carrying capacity of the water or air. Over time, enormous amounts of sediment will start to compact and undergo diagenesis and continue in the rock cycle.

Tags: rock cycle

What Are Earth'S Major Landforms

When you fly over the earth in an airplane, it is easy to notice mountains, hills, plains and plateaus from the window. These major landforms are key to understanding geography. They have long functioned as borders between territories and nations, and they feature in place names on maps.

Identification

Geographers and geologists refer to four major landforms. Large flat mainly grassy areas are the plains. Lands with elevations more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding areas are called mountains. Hills are elevated land masses that are less than 1,000 feet above their surroundings. Plateaus are flat elevated areas perched between 300 to 3,000 feet high. Minor landforms include buttes, canyons, valleys and basins.

Considerations

How were these major landforms formed? Some were formed as a result of tectonic activity, or earthquakes. Other landforms are the result of volcanic eruptions. In fact, mountains that were formed by tectonic activity are called fold mountains, while those formed by volcanic eruptions are called volcanic mountains. Still other landforms resulted from the effects of weathering, erosion and the movement of glaciers.

Size

Mountains are perhaps the most noticeable of the major landforms and are found on every continent, as well as beneath the ocean. The highest mountain is Mount Everest in the Himalayas at 29,028 feet. The largest mountain, by volume, is Hawaii's Maono Loa. The longest chain of mountains is the Mid Ocean Range. Both Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean and Iceland are member peaks of this range.

Types

More than half of the earth's surface is covered by plains like the Central Plains of the United States and the plains in Eastern China. Some plains that continue to grow in surface area are the deltas that form by land carried in the current and deposited at the mouths of major rivers. The largest deltas are the Nile River Delta, Mississippi River Delta and Rhone River Delta.

Features

Plateaus account for about 30 percent of the earth's surface. They are elevations that terminate in flat lands. Some people call them tablelands because of their shape. There are often layers of both hard and soft rock in a plateau. These landforms were caused when the earth's crust was forced upward.

Tags: major landforms, River Delta, earth surface, feet above, tectonic activity, than feet, than feet above

List Of Oceanography Careers

Oceanography jobs

Oceans cover a majority of the earth. This makes oceanography a field with seemingly endless possibilities for work and discovery. From the study of life underwater to that of water itself, there are several types of oceanography careers.

Geophysicist

Geophysicists study the physical properties that make up the earth. This career within oceanography, specifically geological oceanography, deals with the ocean floor. From the rocky coastlines to the deep crevasses in the center of the ocean, there are myriad types of rocks and minerals that can only be found under the sea. There are also many underground volcanoes that allow geophysicists to study how the earth as we know it originally took shape.

Marine Biologist

Marine biology is one of the more commonly known careers in oceanography. It is also one of the more extensive areas of work in the field. Marine biologists study all life that dwells in the sea, from giant whales to tiny deep-sea organisms. They even work with ocean plant life. Marine biologists not only observe how these forms of life interact with one other, but also try to learn how they affect their surroundings. This allows marine biologists to work with scientists in all the other fields of oceanography.

Marine Geochemist

A marine geochemist focuses on the chemical composition of the waters that make up the oceans and interactions with the elements it comes in contact with. These include the ocean floor, the air near the surface of the water and the molten lava that spews into it. Marine geochemists also play an integral role in the study of any pollution that might affect life in ocean waters, and therefore often work closely with marine biologists.

Physical Oceanographer

Physical oceanographers deal specifically with the properties of the ocean itself. This includes everything from water temperatures to the study of tides and ocean movement. Physical oceanographers also observe the density of different parts of the ocean and how light reacts when passing through it. Since the spectrum of properties can be vastly different from one ocean to the next, a physical oceanographer has plenty of information to work with.

Marine Archaeologist

More than any other career in oceanography, marine archaeology addresses the study of human involvement with the sea. Marine archaeologists scour the ocean for everything from shipwrecks to ancient pottery to discover traces of human life and learn about previous cultures and their interactions with the ocean. One of the most famous marine archaeologists is Robert Ballard, who discovered the remains of the Titanic in 1985.

Tags: with ocean, work with, earth This, everything from, interactions with

Calculate Slope On A Map

Topographical maps include lines that denote elevations of land.

Maps are used to depict an area of land in two dimensions. Because land is rarely flat and often has various changes in elevation, topographical maps have been designed to show the rise and fall in the contour of the land. This is depicted with contour lines, which represent specific elevations of the land. Topographical maps include a key that tells the difference in elevation between each contour line.

These lines can be used to calculate the slope of the land, which is the rise or fall in elevation compared to the horizontal distance of the land, also known as the run.

Instructions

1. Choose an area on the map for which you want to calculate slope. Be sure to note how much the elevation changes between lines on the map. For example, a map may have a 10-foot change in elevation for every contour line.

2. Use a ruler to measure the distance across a series of concentric contour lines. Use the map's key to determine how far of a distance this is. For example, if you measure 3.25 inches across four contour lines, and according to the key, 1 inch equals 400 feet, your horizontal distance is 1,300 feet.

3. Determine the change in elevation by counting the contour lines and subtracting one. Then multiply that number by the change in elevation between lines. For example, if you measured across four lines, there were only three increases in elevation. If the land rises 10 feet between each contour line, the rise of the land is 30 feet.

4. Divide the rise of the land (30 feet) by the horizontal distance, or run of the land (1,300 feet). The result will be a decimal between 0 and 1. In the example, the slope is 0.023, which rounds to 0.02.

5. Multiply your answer by 100 to express the number in a percent. In the example, the slope is a 2 percent grade.

Tags: contour lines, change elevation, contour line, horizontal distance, land feet

The Salary Of A Geodesist

Geodesists survey using a series of 24 satellites that circle Earth.

Geodesists determine the shape and size of Earth by surveying its surface. They also use this science, which is closely associated with astronomy, for locating specific points on Earth's surface. Today, geodesists use GPS for finding points anywhere on Earth's surface within a single centimeter. To find specific points for their maps or charts, they use a transmitter from the ground that connects with at least three of the 24 satellites that circle the earth.

Average Annual Salaries

As of May of 2011, the average salary for geodesists nationwide was $69,000 per year, according to job tracking website SimplyHired. In Houston, Texas, the average annual salary was $70,000 per year.

Comparing eight different positions for six different geodesist employers, the SalaryDom website reported an average annual salary, based on the limited sampling, of $62,826. The lowest geodesist salary listed was The Atlantic Group, at $47,500 per year. Connoco Phillips had the highest annual pay of the six employers, at $85,284, while AOA Geomarine Operations reported an annual salary of $65,000 per year, and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory reported an annual geodesist salary of $61,887 per year.

Salary Ranges

The highest salary range reported by the salary tracking website GlassDoor for a geodesist was with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where the salary range was from $87,000 to $94,000 per year. The lowest salary range was with Atlantic Associates, at $46,000 to $50,000 per year. Earth Resources Technology,Inc. and Topcon Positioning Systems fell between these two figures, with ranges from $52,000 to $56,000 per year, and $67,000 to $71,000 per year, respectively.

Salary by the Hour Comparison

The website Salary Box compared hourly salaries of geodesists in California and Utah. California geodesists earned between $20.80 and $60.55 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $40.61 per hour. Utah geodesists earned beween $21.86 and $43.49 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $32.16 per hour. While Utah had a higher hourly wage for the low end of the range, California had a higher maximum hourly wage and a higher average hourly wage.

State Comparisons

When comparing six geodesist employers, SalaryDom website showed the state of Texas as having both the highest-paying employer and the third highest-paying employer. Alabama was home to the lowest-paying employer. The three states where geodesists were employed for salaries that fell between the extremes were, from low to high, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

Tags: hourly wage, annual salary, average hourly, average hourly wage, salary range, salary year, annual salary year

Visit Nine Mile Canyon

Nine Mile Canyon, located in southeastern Utah, is sometimes known as the world's "largest art gallery." The well-preserved rock art and other archaeological sites give visitors a glimpse into the many different people that have inhabited this area for 8,000 years, including the Fremonts and the Utes. The canyon's name is a bit of a misnomer. Nine Mile Canyon is actually 70 miles, not nine. There are several stories on how the canyon got its name. Back in 1869. John Wesley Powell came to explore the area with his cartographer, F.M. Bishop. Bishop used a nine-mile transect for mapping, and perhaps that is how the canyon got its name.

Instructions

1. Plan your travel dates. The dirt and gravel roads through Nine Mile Canyon can be impassible during inclement weather, so plan your visit accordingly. You can access Nine Mile Canyon from Price by traveling on Highway 6/191 until you reach 2200 East (Soldier Creek Road). Turn north and travel until you reach the kiosk. This is where Nine Mile Canyon begins. You can also enter the canyon from the north end. Take Highway 40/191; the access is one mile west of Myton.

2. Arrange lodging. If you will need to secure a place to stay during your visit to Nine Mile Canyon, you can make reservations at the Nine Mile Ranch, the only lodging option within the canyon. The Ranch offers rustic cabins, a campground, an Indian teepee and a "Bunk n' Breakfast." If you want to lodge with more modern accommodations, you can secure a hotel room in nearby Price.

3. Begin your visit at the College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum. Here, you can pick up maps, brochures and information about Nine Mile Canyon. For a small fee, you can take a self-guided tour through the museum to learn more about the area and the people who once inhabited Nine Mile Canyon.

4. Drive to the entrance 20 miles north of Wellington and have your map to Nine Mile Canyon handy. The kiosk at the Wellington entrance is milepost 0. As you look at your map, notice the milepost of the different sites you would like to visit. Often, there isn't a road sign to signify a landmark, so you will need to rely on your map.

5. Visit the Cottonwood Glen Picnic Area. Here, you can enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables before venturing further into the canyon. There are restrooms, but no drinking water.

6. Visit the different sites as you make your way through the canyon. Some sites have a pull-off and you can take a short hike to visit the rock art. Others are on private property and you will need to view the site from the road.

7. As you reach Nutter Ranch, continue going straight toward the Granary. You will see the Fremont Village after a short drive. Turn onto Cottonwood Canyon to see the famous rock art panel: Great Hunt.

8. Stop at the Gate Canyon Orientation at the fork. Take a right toward the town of Myton. You can take the Gate Canyon hike near the Summit Vista, or just enjoy the view. From here, you can turn around and head back toward Wellington, or you can continue driving toward Myton.

Tags: Nine Mile, Mile Canyon, Nine Mile Canyon, canyon name, will need

Visit Las Vegas Without Gambling

Enjoy the lights and activities of Las Vegas.

While Las Vegas has a reputation built on its casinos, there's plenty to do other than gamble. Las Vegas offers a plenitude of options both in the city itself and in the surrounding area. Built in the dessert, the native wildlife of Nevada is enjoyable and doesn't require you purchase chips to enjoy. If you like the buzz and energy of the city itself, take advantage of other activities that Vegas offers beyond the casino floor.

Instructions

1. See a show. From the mesmerizing acrobatics of multiple Cirque du Soleil shows to high-end musicals to singers and magicians, Vegas offers a wide variety of shows that are high-quality and enjoyable. Purchase tickets online in advance of your trip, ask the hotel concierge to purchase tickets for you or head to the hotel that houses the spurchase tickets for shows during your stay.

2. Visit the Springs Preserve. Located about 15 minutes from the Strip, this 180-acre attraction has four trails where visitors can observe plants, birds and other animals native to Southern Nevada. Enjoy the art exhibits, concerts and events hosted at the Springs Preserve, which rotate seasonally. The Preserve is ideal for families looking for children's activities, or adults who enjoy nature.

3. Venture 17 miles west of the Strip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This fascinating geological attraction offers rock climbing, a 13-mile scenic drive, hiking trails and riding facilities.

4. Go to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson. The factory is only 15 minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Admittance to the factory self-guided tour is free, and includes parking as well as a visit to the botanical gardens next to the factory.

5. Go shopping. Visit the malls in or around the hotels on the Strip, or any of the outlets within Las Vegas. Check out the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, the Las Vegas Outlet Center, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets, Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Hotel or the Fashion Show mall across from the Wynn.

Tags: Vegas offers, city itself, Springs Preserve

Visit Great Falls Park In Virginia

Great Falls of the Potomac

Though not officially designated a National Park, Great Falls Park on the Virginia side of the Potomac River is operated by the National Park Service. It is named for an area where the current of the Potomac becomes rapid before cascading into the Mather Gorge. The falls are notable not so much for the distance of descent, but rather for width. The river is quite wide at this point and several islands impede the water’s progress before it drops to the narrows below.

Instructions

1. Stop at the Visitor Center, located off I-495 and Georgetown Pike, and become informed of the park’s geology as well has its historical significance in terms of early U.S. commerce. Note that the center is built over a man-made impression in the ground, evidence of the Patowmack Canal, designed by George Washington and named after the Native American pronunciation of the river. The Patowmack’s success prompted construction of the 184-mile C&O Canal across the river on the Maryland side.

2. Stroll along the grassy knolls toward the three overlooks. Notice the flood-marker post standing where two trails intersect. Signs mark the year when there was an extremely high water level, in places well over six feet high.

3. Walk to the first overlook and the closest view of the falls. This is a great location to photograph the falls. The C&O Canal National Historical Park offers a canal boat ride and three very strenuous trails called the Billy Goats. Those visible from the Virginia side have accessed the island trail, which crosses two small islands before reaching the precipice.

4. Walk to the southernmost overlook and view Mather’s Gorge. The Potomac settles into a narrow and deep ravine before retaining is width and shape near Greenway. It is not uncommon to see two or three kayakers practicing on the river current below the falls.

5. Access the River Trail, which follows the rim of the gorge down to where the Patowmack Canal meets the river. The trail will circle back across the canal and continue down to Sandy Landing.

6. Access the Matildaville Trail north from Sandy Landing, via directional signs. Here the visitor can explore the actual remnants of the canal. Leave the trail momentarily and walk into the dry canal bed and through the moss covered stone locks that are well over two-hundred years old.

7. Walk through the remnants of Matildaville; a working settlement with the purpose of keeping the canal, boats and locks in operation. Only piles of stone rubble mark the workshops and dwellings.

8. Return from the dense Virginia wilderness into the park’s picnic area. A stream flows through the eastern part of the area amid a spattering of shade trees, that are beautifully hued in the autumn. Deer are plentiful.

Tags: Great Falls, Falls Park, Falls Park Virginia, Great Falls Park, Mather Gorge, National Park, Park Virginia

Children'S Stories About Mars

What would it be like to live on Mars?

Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system and is often called the "Red Planet" due to the iron oxide on the planet's surface, which gives it a reddish hue. The surface of Mars is said to resemble that of both the moon and the Earth with craters, volcanoes, valleys, deserts and polar ice caps. A multitude of children's books have been written about Mars and missions to Mars.

The Mystery of Mars

The "Mystery of Mars" by Sally Ride is a 48-page book recommended by the School Library Journal for students in grades 4 through 6. Ride describes the similarities and differences between Earth and Mars and describes in great detail the geology of Mars and what causes the planet's red appearance. The author also explains the history of our fascination with the planet and discusses what has been found on some of the missions to Mars. The book also offers many detailed paintings, graphics and recent photographs of Mars both from outer space and from the surface.

"Mission to Mars"

"Mission to Mars," written by Franklyn M. Branley, tells a fictional story of what it would be like to live on Mars. The author gives children a "you are there" feel all through the story. The astronauts live in a station on Mars where they generate solar and atomic power for electricity, grow their own food and recycle water. The tale goes into the challenges people would face from the environment and also tells how a real colony could be supported by these means. The book also contains black and white photographs of Mars and is appropriate for ages 4 through 8.

"Max Goes to Mars"

"Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog" by Jeffrey Bennett was published by Big Kid Science for children ages 9 to 12. The book won the Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice for Children's Books Award in 2010. It tells the tale of Max the dog's mission to help his human crew search for life on Mars while providing companionship and loyalty on the 2-year long journey to the planet. It also tells of a very special discovery Max makes while on Mars.

Bennett is an astronomer by training and also a teacher and writer. His series on Max the Dog also includes "Max Goes to the Moon" and "Max Goes to Jupiter."

"Exploring Mars"

"Exploring Mars" was written by David Ward and published in 2006. The book is for children ages 9 to 12 and covers a wide range of topics about Mars. The author describes details about missions to Mars and also describes the planet's red appearance and what causes it, the characteristics of the moons and thought-provoking subjects such as the possibility of water on Mars. Ward also writes about how people might someday be able to live on the red planet and how life could be sustained. The book contains a variety of recommended websites on Mars.

Tags: missions Mars, about Mars, also tells, book also, children ages, Exploring Mars, Goes Mars

Ideas Of A Bulletin Board With A Pattern For Welcome Back To School

Welcome students back to school with unsual classroom bulletin board ideas.

Welcome students back to school with brightly decorated bulletin boards that encourage them that they will have a great year. Instead of using boring backgrounds from butcher paper of one color, select backgrounds with patterns made from a variety of materials. Select patterns that lend a whimsical feel to the board, keep in mind that fabrics with larger patterns may work better since small details may look too "busy" at a distance.

Fabric

Select a fabric that looks like autumn leaves, and title the board with the phrase "Fall Back into Schedule." Post the daily schedule, including classroom subjects, recess and lunch. For younger students list both the actual time and a visual of a time clock set to the time. Consider using a visual picture for each subject as well, such as a book for reading and a magnifying glass for science.

Wrapping Paper

Create a wallpaper-covered bulletin board with an adventure theme. Select a type of wrapping paper that looks adventurous, such as a western cowboy or space theme, and title the board something like "Welcome to the Adventure Zone." List some of the exciting things that the students will learn about in the coming year, and include pictures of visuals of the upcoming events. Older students who visit a classroom for specific subject may particularly like this type of board. A Physical Education classroom might list rules to a new sport. A foreign language classroom might list types of words that will be introduced, such as culinary terms or words about vacation locations.

Wall Paper

Help students orient themselves to the new classroom and learn classmate names by creating a bulletin board chart of the classroom and school yard. Cover the background of the bulletin board with apple themed wall paper, and then post a map of the classroom, as well as a map of the school. Interact with the bulletin board and point out important locations in the classroom, such as where the pencil sharpener or tissues are kept. For the map of the entire school, show student where they should line up at the end of recess, and where to find the school nurse's office.

Tags: board with, bulletin board, back school, back school with, bulletin board

Gem Hunting In South Dakota

You'll find rose quartz and agate in southwestern South Dakota.

Rose quartz and agate are the gemstones to hunt for in South Dakota. Large deposits of rose quartz can be found in Custer County. Agates can be found throughout the state, but the prized Fairburn agate, the state's gemstone, can only be found near Fairburn, in the Black Hills area.

Agate and Quartz

Agate is a variety of chalcedony, a form of quartz that occurs in volcanic rocks and characterized by fortifications or bands of differing colors. Minerals from the soil determine an agate's colors, which can range from the pinks, taupes and reds produced by iron oxide to the greens and blues produced by copper. Quartz is an easily recognizable mineral because of its translucence. Rose quartz exhibits a pale pink to rose-colored hue.

Where to Hunt

Head to the southwestern regions of the state to hunt for rose quartz and agate. Black agate can be found near Scenic, South Dakota. Fairburn agate can be hunted on thousands of acres of stony land around Fairburn, in Custer and Pennington Counties. Much of these lands are privately owned and you must obtain permission prior to gem hunting.

What to Look For

Agates are found as separate nodules or within geodes. An in-the-rough agate doesn't always bear much resemblance to the polished examples seen in pictures. Often, the fortifications and banding can not be seen due to an outer matrix covering the agate. A visit to a mineral shop or to South Dakota School of Mines & Technology's Museum of Geology, (see Reference 4) in Rapid City, will give you a better idea of what you are looking for.

Tags: South Dakota, rose quartz, Agates found, Fairburn agate, found near, quartz agate, Rose quartz

Visit Carrizo Plain National Monument In California

Springtime on the Carrizo Plain

California’s Carrizo Plain was designated a National Monument during the Bill Clinton presidency. The plain is situated in the southern hills of the San Joaquin Valley between two substantial mountain ranges. More importantly, Carrizo straddles the San Andreas Fault. It's approximately 150 miles north of Los Angeles, and the monument has a well-maintained road through the length of the plain. Central to the plain is Soda Lake, a mostly dry lake bed occasionally covered in fog. Caliente, a coastal mountain range to the west, offers many hiking opportunities. Carrizo offers old homesteads to explore, as well as a perfect place to visit California wildflowers in the spring. The Bureau of Land Management manages the must-seemonument.

Instructions

1. Make hotel reservations in Bakersfield to the east, or Santa Maria to the west. Taft, California, is the closest town, but note that lodging is minimal there. There are two campgrounds located in Carrizo, so inquire about reservations.

2. Use the map to locate Maricopa, California. Soda Lake Road, the entrance to the monument, is located just a few miles west of town.

3. Turn onto Soda Lake Road and look for a brown directional sign identifying Elkhorn Road. There is an information kiosk there. Take Elkhorn Road eastward and cross the San Andreas Fault. Stop and examine the massive fissure in the earth, recognizing that all past and future California earthquakes are geologically connected to the San Andreas.

4. Return to Soda Lake Road and stop at Traver Ranch. Dated farming equipment line the roadside near the entrance to the ranch. The house and outbuildings are not accessible and the grounds are considered private property, but nevertheless, from its perimeter, you can see a thriving enterprise dating back to the first half of the last century.

5. Continue on Soda Lake Road to the Selby Campground cut-off. Turn left and follow directional signs past the campground and up into the coastal mountains. Gain access to the Caliente Mountain Ridge Trail. This 3-mile trail along the ridge offers great views of Caliente Mountain and Carrizo below. Deer are plentiful in the area and you can often see them close up.

6. Return to Soda Lake Road and stop at the Goodwin Education Center. This much smaller version of a national park visitor center is staffed with well-informed rangers. They are capable of explaining Carrizo’s geology and ecology. They will also explain the status of Painted Rock, which is sometimes closed to visitors. Note the huge population of rabbits scattered around the grounds.

7. Visit Painted Rock, if accessible. The lone rock formation sits among the grasses of Carrizo and is notable for its pictographs drawn by the Chumash People, the original Californios.

8. Backtrack north and stop at the Soda Lake Boardwalk. These wetlands will collect water in the winter and then dry up in the summer, creating an optical illusion of a great sea. The lake is a great stopping place for migratory birds.

9. Cross the road and drive up to Overlook Hill for a panoramic view of the lake and the plains. The overlook is covered with wildflowers in spring.

10. Leave the north entrance of the park toward State Highway 58 which goes west to San Luis Obispo or east to Bakersfield. Before reaching the highway, however, Soda Lake Road travels through California Valley, where a variety of poppies and other wildflowers paint the green hillsides in vibrant color.

Tags: Soda Lake, Lake Road, Soda Lake Road, Carrizo Plain, Andreas Fault

Dinosaur Museums In Ohio

There are dinosaur museums throughout Ohio.

Ohio has become associated with dinosaurs over the years, as the remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals have been discovered in the state, such as the authentic mastodon skeleton that was dug up in the Canton, Ohio, area and which has been displayed at the McKinley Museum of History in the city. From Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati, museums throughout the state feature dinosaur exhibits.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Dinosaur remains and replicas on permanent display at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History include a Tyrannosaurus rex, a Triceratops horridus, and a life-sized cast of a juvenile tyrannosaur named Jane. The museum houses the only certain specimen of a nanotyrannus---a small tyrannosaur. The museum also has many other types of dinosaurs on display. A popular feature of the museum is a sculpture of a stegosaurus that sits outside the museum entrance, which was created by New York sculptor Paul Jones for the New York World's Fair in 1964-65.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

1 Wade Oval Drive

University Circle

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

216-231-4600

cmnh.org/site/index.aspx

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science

The Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science features the Dino Hall exhibit, which includes a fossil timeline path, an interactive resource center and dinosaur models and fossils from the Ohio Valley area. While the museum does not house a permanent dinosaur collection, it frequently features temporary dinosaur-themed traveling exhibits. The museum also hosts many special events, such as an annual Dinosaur Field School trip to Montana to participate in an actual dinosaur dig.

Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science

1301 Western Ave.

Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

513-287-7000

cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/natural_history/default.asp

McKinley Museum of History

The McKinley Museum of History features a hands-on interactive science center, which includes Natural History Island, an exhibit that focuses on dinosaurs. Visitors can participate in a simulated fossil dig and view an authentic mastodon skeleton that was discovered in the Canton area.

McKinley Museum of History

800 McKinley Monument Drive NW

Canton, Ohio 44708

330-455-7043

mckinleymuseum.org

Orton Geological Museum

Located at Ohio State University, Orton Geological Museum features a 4-foot-long replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, a late Jurassic Cryolophosaurus ellitoti and a 20-foot-long dunkleosteus.

Orton Geological Museum

Orton Hall

School of Earth Sciences

155 S. Oval Mall

Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio 43210

614-292-6154

library.osu.edu/sites/geology/museum

Tags: Natural History, Museum Natural, Museum Natural History, McKinley Museum, McKinley Museum History, Museum History

Know Naturally When An Earthquake Will Strike

Even experienced seismologists cannot accurately predict exactly when an earthquake will hit a specific area. However, we can watch for changes in the natural environment for some clues. Also, dogs, cats and other animals react in different ways, and they can sense when an earthquake is coming. Learn watch for natural signs before an earthquake strikes so you can better prepare yourself.

Instructions

1. Realize that if your pet dog or cat runs away and is missing, it might be an indicator of a future earthquake. If many pets are running away in a short period of time from a specific area, perhaps you should prepare yourself and your loved ones for a natural disaster.

2. Observe your pet. Some animals will scratch at the front or back door and will try to find any way out of the house. They feel vibrations in the ground and will move to the opening they know of.

3. Look and listen for any unusual pet behavior or sounds. If your dog or cat is barking, biting or meowing excessively, your pet could be exhibiting a signal of a future earthquake. Animals act in fear, so they react with any noise or action they can.

4. Watch nearby lakes and bodies of water. If they have decreased and are overflowing, it might be a sign of an earthquake. If you see this sign, go to a safe area.

5. Notice the sky and wind. If you see an unusual calmness in the atmosphere, it might be a sign that an earthquake will hit the area. Look for increased humidity and huge clouds.

6. Stare at the sky. If you notice it has a green appearance, it might be a sign that an earthquake is going to strike.

Tags: might sign, future earthquake, might sign that, prepare yourself, sign that

Red River Gorge Kentucky Hotels

Hotel rooms are available less than 10 minutes from Red River Gorge.

The Red River Gorge is located in the eastern part of Kentucky and within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Gorge is a popular tourist destination for hiking and sightseeing opportunities that include 80 natural arches, rock shelters and historical sites. The gorge is also in close proximity to the Natural Bridge State Park. Several hotels are located close to the Red River Gorge, including two in the nearby town of Slade.

Lil' Abner Motel

The Lil' Abner Motel is situated a few minutes from the Red River Gorge and the Natural Bridge State Park. Features at the hotel include a large outdoor swimming pool with lounge chairs, free long-distance phone calls in the United States and Internet access. Each room is equipped with a microwave, refrigerator, and cable TV. Some of the expanded units come with kitchenettes and two bedrooms. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available at a hotel that allows pets. Charcoal grills can also be requested and a picnic shelter is available for rent. Special rates are offered for extended stays.

Lil' Abner Motel

1000 Natural Bridge Rd.

Slade KY 40376

606-663-5384

lilabnermotel.com

Campton Parkway Inn

The Campton Parkway Inn is approximately six miles from the Red River Gorge and within a few of the Natural Bridge State Park, hiking trails and the Sky Bridge. The hotel serves a free continental breakfast each morning and has a conference room for meetings. Pets are allowed and non-smoking rooms can be requested. The units vary in terms of size and beds. Some rooms have whirlpools, while all of them come with cable TV and Internet access. Handicap accessible rooms along with fax and copier services are available for guests. The Inn does not have its own restaurant, but several places to eat are as close as three miles from the hotel.

Campton Parkway Inn

205 Quillins Chapel Service Rd.

Campton, KY 41301

606-668-7072

camptonparkwayinn.com

Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals

The Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals provides guests with a variety of lodging options in multiple locations. In terms of hotel-type rooms, the property offers the Red River Inn, which has single- and double-bedroom units, and a game room with card tables and a pool table. The property is located next to the Natural Bridge State Park. The Middlefork Creek runs through the property. Amenities in the cabins include fireplaces, hot tubs and Whirlpool tubs. Over 50 vacation homes, log cabins and rooms in the Red River Inn are available in all. Within minutes of the hotel are

a swimming pool, speedway, Hoe Down Island, a reptile zoo and hiking trails.

Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge Cabin Rentals

12075 Campton Rd.

Slade, KY 40376

606-663-8858

naturalbridgecabinrental.com

Tags: River Gorge, Natural Bridge, Bridge State, Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge State

Interesting Facts About The South Pole

There is much to know about the South Pole--and much left for man to discover.

The South Pole, the southernmost point of the earth, is located on the continent of Antarctica. Few humans go there, it also has no permanent residents and there is no record of any group ever inhabiting it, you can travel to there on a tour-guided expedition. The South Pole is a place like no other, with many interesting facts waiting to be discovered.

Two Seasons

The South Pole only has two seasons: winter and summer. Each season lasts six months of the year. During winter at the South Pole, the sun never rises. During summer, the sun never rises and never sets. In fact, it simply orbits around the horizon in a straight line with relatively no change in distance from the earth.

Temperature and Elevation

The South Pole sits 9,300 feet above sea level, but the actual bedrock of the pole is only 100 feet above sea level. The average temperature at the South Pole is -58 degrees Fahrenheit annually. Recorded temperatures have documented temperatures as low as -100.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Two Poles

The South Pole actually has two poles: the South Magnetic pole and the South Geomagnetic pole. The Magnetic Pole, which moves around due to changes in the earth's magnetic field, is currently moving at a pace of six to nine miles per year. The South Geomagnetic Pole also moves its positioning and is completely independent from the Magnetic South Pole. As of 2005, it is close to the Vostok Station, just east of the Amundsen-Scott Station.

Station

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is named after Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott. The station was erected by Amundsen, who first arrived to the pole in December 1911; Scott made several expeditions racing Amundsen to the pole. The station itself was built in 1955. A modern dome structure was the station's base from 1975 to 1990, and as of 2010, a completely modernized facility has replaced the old dome structure.

Women and the Pole

Though Amundsen first reached the South Pole in 1911, no woman set foot there until November 1969, when a geologist at Ohio State University, Lois Jones, and her all-female research team came to work on the ice and dispel the misconception that women would not be physically able to travel to the ice-covered land.

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Hot Spot Volcano Information

Hot spots include volcanic activity far from the perimeter of the tectonic plate.

Volcanoes are both feared and respected aspects of natural geography. The volcano is a direct link from the core of the planet to the outer crust. Most volcanoes occur around the edges of the tectonic plates. Hot spot volcanoes are different because they do not occur near the edges of a plate, but rather occur at quite a distance from the edges. The movement of these hot spots volcanoes can be tracked as well.

Plate Tectonics

Plate tectonics is the accepted theory of how continents and geographical features are formed. These plates are both under the ocean and are visible continental plates. Volcanoes occur when the friction caused by the movement of the plates, through subduction, causes the rock to melt and rise to the surface. This can be accompanied by gases that can cause explosive eruptions. Other volcanoes erupt constantly and therefore do not have explosive results.

Oceanic Hot Spots

Hot spots are areas of heat where heat is not expected. This is due to the level of magma that is situated under the plate, pushing upwards. If the hot spot is under an oceanic plate, the hot spot can form a volcano called a shield volcano. This type of volcano builds in size as the lava being forced out cools and builds upon itself. This type of volcano can eventually grow large enough to break the surface of the water. This type of volcano formed the Hawaiian Islands.

Continental Hot Spots

Yellowstone and the surrounding areas are the result of a continental hot spot. The magma pushing up under the mantle of the continental crust causes calderas and the other volcanic structures seen along the Snake River. This includes the Old Faithful Geyser that is the result of heated water erupting out of a hole in the ground. These continental hot spots are also the causes behind the naturally heated springs of Japan.

Moving Hot Spots

Hot spots often appear to be moving because the motion of the plate on which it rests is so imperceptible. Hot spots do not move, but rather the plates move, causing the formations to move as well. The Hawaiian islands were formed this way. The first Hawaiian islands were thought to be originally much larger than their current state but have decreased in size due to the constant erosion caused by wind and water. A new island is currently being formed to the southeast of Hawaii.

Eruption Hallmarks

Hot spot eruptions do differ from other volcanic eruptions in most cases. Hot spots often erupt continually and the lava creates basaltic rocks. There are cases in which the eruptions of hot spot volcanoes can be very explosive. This is due to the strength and weight of the rock and earth covering the volcano's mouth and the pressure accumulated by a lack of escape routes. Explosive eruptions also occur in the water when the lava is rapidly cooled, causing explosions to occur within the rock itself.

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How Does Plate Tectonics Affect The Rock Cycle

Plate Tectonics

Plate tectonics is the movement of the Earth's crust through convection currents that occur in the mantle. Divergent plate boundaries occur where hot magma rises to the surface, pushing the plates apart. The mid-ocean ridges form at divergent plate boundaries. Convergent plate boundaries occur where cooled rock becomes denser than the rocks around it and sinks back into the mantle. Oceanic trenches, folded mountains and volcanic mountains occur at convergent plate boundaries. Sliding plate boundaries occur when one plate slides past another plate through a twisting force. The San Andreas Fault is an example of a sliding plate boundary.

Igneous Rocks and Plate Tectonics

Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma or lava. At diverging plate boundaries, convection currents bring hot magma to the surface. This hot magma flows out onto the ocean floor, forming extrusive, finely grained igneous rocks. At convergent plate boundaries, sedimentary rock from the ocean floor gets pushed down into the mantle. The crust increases in temperature as it dives deeper into the mantle. Eventually, the crust melts and rises to the surface causing a volcanic eruption, creating igneous rocks. Sometimes, magma that gets pushed up at plate boundaries cools before it gets there. It fills in cracks and voids in the bedrock. When it cools, it creates igneous rock formations, such as dikes and batholiths.

Metamorphic Rocks and Plate Tectonics

Metamorphic rocks form when rocks change after undergoing extreme pressure or temperature increase. These temperature changes must be hot enough to reorganize matter within the rock but not hot enough to melt it. Hot magma pushes itself to the surface at both divergent plate boundaries and convergent plate boundaries. This magma comes in contact with rocks as it rises to the surface. The magma is hot, heating the rocks around it. As the rocks heat, they change and become metamorphic rocks. This process is called contact metamorphism. Regional metamorphism occurs at convergent plate boundaries, due to intense pressure. As two plates collide, the Earth's crust folds and faults. The intense pressure changes large areas of the Earth's crust into metamorphic rock. Mountain ranges are typically metamorphic rock, due to plate tectonic processes.

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Use Trade Books In Science Class

Select high-interest books to use in your science classroom.

Incorporating literature into your science class may seem improbable with everything else you are required to teach. However, using trade books in your science class enriches the learning experience for students. Trade books create meaning and increase student engagement in your class. As a result, students will participate more fully in your class and classroom disruptions will decrease. Trade books incorporated in your class also help support your English Language Learners students in both language acquisition and comprehension of science.

Instructions

1. Select a book. Trade books cover a variety of topics, so seek out a book that aligns with your curriculum. Check the reading level. If the book is too difficult, students will become frustrated and lose interest. Also look for books with added features such as research notes and discussion topics, as these will provide you with more activity ideas.

2. Search Internet databases to find a variety of activities or lessons already designed for your book. Using search terms like "teaching....", "teaching materials for...." and "lessons for ...." will all assist you in your search. Teachers, publishers and authors often put materials online for free.

3. Have students read the book. Decide if reading the book will be in-class or outside reading.

4. Discuss the book. Gear all discussions to meet the needs of your teaching objectives.

5. Assess student learning. Using tests, projects or in-class debates allows you to assess student learning in regard to your objective and the trade book.

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Use Topo Maps

Topographic maps are used in orienteering, camping, hiking and land use analysis. Topographic maps describe the elevation of the land. They also show streams, forests, lakes, roads and important buildings. Topographic maps are used for navigation.

Instructions

Familiarize yourself with the map

1. Note that contours are indicated by brown lines. Contours follow the surface at a constant elevation. Index contours are the dark brown lines. Index contours show the exact elevation in meters or feet.

2. Find the contour interval in the margin. the contour interval is the difference in elevation from one contour to the next.

3. Find the map scale measured by a bar on the bottom of the map.

4. Find the magnetic declination indicated by a star and a "MN". They will form a "V" in the map key.

5. Note that contour lines close together indicate steep topography. Contour lines far apart indicate gentle topography. Contour lines will form "v's" around streams. The point of the "v" will point upstream.

Navigate with Topographic Map

6. Find your current location on the map. Find the final destination on the map.

7. Draw a straight line from the current location to the destination. Extend line past a map border.

8. Observe the contour lines and map symbols the drawn line crosses. Note any steep terrain, streams or other landmarks you may encounter.

9. Center the compass on the map border where the drawn line intersects it.

10. Adjust the compass to the magnetic declination listed on the map. If the "MN" arrow is to the right of true north, subtract the "MN" value. If the "MN" arrow is to the left of true north, add the "MN" value.

11. Standing in current location, align the "MN" needle with 0 degrees north. This can also be achieved by rotating the outer compass ring until the magnetic declination lines up with the indicator marker.

12. Read the bearing indicated by the compass. Aim the compass at a distant object and head in direction bearing indicates.

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Identify Kansas Rocks

Quartz is a common Kansas rock.

Identifying Kansas rocks is a vital way to understand the state's geography and cultural history. Early Native American settlers depended on Kansas rocks and minerals for clay and pottery needs. In the early- and mid-1800s, coal mines were established throughout the state -- where lead and zinc had become highly excavated commodities. Natural gas discoveries in the state went on to fuel brick manufacturing plants and other rock smelters and factories.

Instructions

1. Visit outdoor Kansas locales. Explore different locales to find a wide variety of rocks. Go to the Chautauqua Hills in Woodson or Leavenworth County to find dense sandstones. Take a trip to the Cherokee Lowlands in Bourbon, Crawford, Cherokee, and Labette counties to examine coal samples. Visit the Geology Fact Sheets page of the University of Kansas -- Kansas Geological Survey website or the Kansas State Map Collection page for Geology.com for a list of state counties and contact information.

2. Examine rock colors. Look at the outside of the rock or chisel the stone open to examine the interior color. Find a pure, sphalerite zinc mineral, for example, by identifying the dark brown/red and/or white exterior and interior colors. Pick out a hunk of halite -- or natural sodium chloride -- by its translucent and/or white color. Compare the rock findings to geological and mineral textbooks and/or the Rocks and Minerals list provided by the University of Kansas -- Kansas Geological Survey website.

3. Scratch the rock. Use your finger nail, the steel knife blade and/or edge of the quartz. Run each object along the surface along the rock to determine the hardness. A rock that scratches with the quartz but does not react to the steel knife has a hardness level between 5.5 and 7. On the other hand, a rock that reacts to a knife blade but is not penetrated by a fingernail scratch maintains a hardness level from 2.5 to 5.5. Compare rock colors and hardness levels to a Kansas Mineral Metallic or Sub-metallic Luster chart. Visit the Table for Identification page on the University of Kansas -- Kansas Geological Survey website for an electronic version of the chart.

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