Studying earth changes is part of the field of geology.
By studying changes in the Earth, kids can learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Science projects provide hands-on opportunities to delve into the processes involved in changing the underlying structure of the Earth. Students can explore the causes of these phenomena and their effects on the environment.
Soil Erosion
In this project, you will measure the erosion of soil in various locations of your choice. Locate three to five soil sites on slight slopes. Use milk jugs with the tops cut off to make sampling containers for each site. You will need three identical containers for each testing site. Bury the containers so the top is even with or a little below the surface of the soil. Record the site locations, type of soil, and plant cover at the location. Take pictures of each site. After each rain, measure the soil collected in each container. Dry the soil before measuring. Note the date and time of each sampling, the amount of rainfall, and the weight of the soil. Average the collection results from each site and graph the differences. Note the differences in erosion by soil type.
Soil Types and Liquefaction
In this project you will explore soil liquefaction which can lead to landslides. Obtain three identical pails. Fill each pail with a different type of soil: loam, sand, and clay. Stack three bricks on top of the soil in one of the pails. Use a marker to draw a line thirty millimeters from the base of the bricks to measure the sinking of the bricks. Gently pour 100 mL of water into the soil. Wait two minutes, and then pour an additional 100 mL of water into the soil. Repeatedly add water until the bricks sink 30 millimeters. Record how much water was added prior to liquefaction. Repeat the procedures for the other two soil types. Graph the amount of water required to liquefy each soil type.
Effects of Chemical Weathering on Rocks
In this experiment, you will observe and record the role of carbon dioxide in the weathering of four different rock types. Fill four eight ounce cups three-fourths full of tap water and four with carbonated water. Put a rock fragment in each cup, and label each cup according to its contents: tap water or carbonated water and limestone, granite, marble, or sandstone. Observe any changes. After fifteen minutes, check the cups and record any changes. Leave the rocks in the cups overnight and observe any changes. Graph any differences you observe based on rock type or differences in reaction in water with carbon dioxide versus water without.
Ring of Fire
In this project you will use information about volcanoes to explore plate tectonics. Log onto the Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report website, and gather data concerning volcanic activity, including: longitude, latitude, elevation, kind of volcanic formation, and type of volcanic activity. Make or purchase a blank world map transparency. Plot the volcanic activity on the map. Locate a map of the Earth's tectonic plates. How does the volcanic activity relate to the location of tectonic plates?
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