Geological Process

Introduction

Does Earth look like it did 1000 years ago?  How about 100 years ago?  Or even yesterday?  The answer to all three questions is ‘NO’.  The planet is constantly being shaped by forces like volcanoes, earthquakes, and erosion.  Living things also have a role in the process!

Through constructive and destructive forces, Earth’s landscape is constantly built up and torn down.  Violent events such as volcanoes and earthquakes can change the landscape suddenly, while more subtle processes, like weathering, will slowly change the Earth’s surface. 

Through this webquest, you’ll learn about the constructive and destructive forces that shape our state.  You’ll identify some of the surface features that are caused by theses forces, and you’ll relate the role of technology and human intervention in the control of constructive and destructive processes. 

Task

You will become geologist, travelers,  or just students on a field trip around Georgia the next couple weeks.

First you will be assigned to a group.

Then you will decide who in the group will be:

1. Captain - This person is in charge of seeing to it that the group is organized, gets started on projects quickly and everyone knows what to do.

2. Monitor - This person keeps track of time to keep the group working smoothly. This person also sees to it that the group has everything it needs. The monitor is the only person who can pull the captain aside and remind her/him that s/he is not doing her/his job if the captain is off task.

3. Recorder - This person sees to it that the group has all the information it needs. This person sees to it that notes are taken or that information is copied from a website and saved. This person has the added responsibility to make sure that the team's work is original and not plagiarized.

4. Reporter - This person is in charge of reporting the group's accomplishments. When the group presents a final product, the reporter is in charge of seeing that it gets done on time and well.

None of the aforementioned jobs excuses any team member from not working at any time. In a group of three, everyone will take turns reporting.

Next your group will choose whether you are geologist, travelers,  or just students on a field trip around Georgia

Choose a Georgia Landform to research.

Discuss with your group how you plan to present your landform.

Have fun with your travels.

Process

Step One: Your group will choose one of the following Georgia Landforms to research and create a presentation for the class:

  • Stone Mountain
  • Providence Canyon
  • Blue Ridge Mountains
  • Tallulah Gorge
  • Brasstown Bald
  • Amicalola Falls
  • Cumberland Plateau
  • Barrier Island

Step Two: Your group will choose if you are a geologist, a traveler, or just students on a field trip.

Step Three: Your presentation should include:

  • all the questions below answered.
  • appropriate scientific vocabulary.
  • at least 2 pictures of your landform.
  • creativety and attractiveness.
  • NO gramatic or spelling errors.
  • citing of sources.

Step Four: Answer the following questions using the websites below to help you:

  • Where is your landform found?
  • Locate it on a map.
  • How did your landform develop?
  • What forces of nature caused it to form? (constructive, destructive or both)
  • What is unique about your landform?
  • What efforts are being made to preserve the landform?

Websites:

Amicalola Falls:

Barrier Islands:

Blue Ridge Mountains: 

Brasstown Bald:

Cumberland Plateau:

Providence Canyon:

Stone Mountain:

Tallulah Gorge:

 Be creative with your presentation.

Evaluation
Category

4

Exceeds

3

Meets

2

In progress

1

Does Not Meet

Knowledge &

Content

Students include all

required information.

(See step three of

process). Uses

scientific

vocabulary and

applies information

to modern, real

world life.

Students includs all

required information

(See step three of

process).

Appropriate vocabulary.

Students includes

some of the required

information (See step

three of process).

Simple vocabulary is

used.

Students does include

any required

information.

(See Step three of

process).

Basic or inappropriate

vocabulary used.

Attractiveness

&

Organization

The project has

exceptioally

attractive formating

and well-organized.

Includes 2 or more

appropriate graphics.

The project has attractive

formating and well -

organized information.

Includes 1 appropriate

graphic.

The project has

organized information.

Includes a graphic.

The project's

formatting and

organization are

confusing to the

reader or is

difficult to read.

Does not include

appropriate graphics.

Evidence of

Planning

& Research

There is a clear plan

for organizing

project. All sources

are correctly cited.

There is evidence of

planning. All sources

are cited.

There is little evidence

of planning. Sources are

cited.

There is no evidence

of planning. Sources

are not cited.

Writing-

Conventions,

Mecahnics

&

Grammar

There are no

grammatical

mistakes in the

project.

Capitalization and

punctuation are

correct throughout

project.

There are no mistakes in

grammar or mechanics

in theproject after

feedback from a adult.

There are 1-2 mistakes

in grammar or mechanics

in the project even after

feedback from an adult.

There are several

mistakes in grammar

or mechanics in the

project even after

feedback from an adult.
Conclusion

Congratulations!!! You know more about how the earth was formed through constructive and destructive forces, and how Earth’s landscape is constantly built up and torn down.  You've seen how Violent events such as volcanoes and earthquakes can change the landscape suddenly, while more subtle processes, like weathering, will slowly change the Earth’s surface. 

Credits

Some websites used for your research.

Amicalola Falls:

Barrier Islands:

Blue Ridge Mountains: 

Brasstown Bald:

Cumberland Plateau:

Providence Canyon:

Stone Mountain:

Tallulah Gorge:

Activities at the end of projects:

Videos:

Weathering and Erosion Song

Deposition & Erosion

Bill Nye The Science Guy Erosion Full Episode

National Geographic - Amazing Flight Over The Grand Canyon

25 Strangest Geological Formations On Earth

Kilauea: Mountain of Fire 

Physical Geography - Forces that Shape Our Earth

Interactive activities:

Erosion and Weathering

Study Jams (Slideshow, kareoke, and test yourself)

Constructive and Destructive Forces Jeopardy (This would be fun for a group)

Geological Process (created by a former EJES teacher, Mr. Chris Stewart)

Constructive and Destructive Games

Teacher Page

After your project is finished you can visit some of the following websites on your own or with a partner.

Videos:

Weathering and Erosion Song

Deposition & Erosion

Bill Nye The Science Guy Erosion Full Episode

National Geographic - Amazing Flight Over The Grand Canyon

25 Strangest Geological Formations On Earth

Kilauea: Mountain of Fire 

Physical Geography - Forces that Shape Our Earth

Interactive activities:

Erosion and Weathering

Study Jams (Slideshow, kareoke, and test yourself)

Constructive and Destructive Forces Jeopardy (This would be fun for a group)

Geological Process (created by a former EJES teacher, Mr. Chris Stewart)

Constructive and Destructive Games