Using Field Lab Write-ups to Develop Observational and Critical Thinking Skills part of Activities
This adaptation of field labs incorporates writing in the form of "Description" and "Interpretation" sections of a geologic report. It can be used in many types of field labs to ...

Joints in a Cornstarch Analog part of Activities
Desiccated cornstarch-water mixture provides an interactive introduction to joints and joint sets. Students interpret relative ages, examine intersection angles, use surface textures to determine ...

Evolution of Normal Fault Systems During Progressive Deformation part of Activities
This activity is based on QuickTime movies and color digital photographs derived from sandbox experiments that produce normal faults in a variety of boundary conditions following experiments ...

Conjugate Fractures form in Clay part of Activities
Pottery clay deformed by uniaxial compression, with a standard hydraulic rock trimmer, produces conjugate fractures at approximately 30 degrees to sigma 1. This activity allows students to observe ...

Structural Control of Giant Rock Avalanches in Argentina part of Activities
Case study of the influence of bedrock structures on the locations of giant rock avalanches in Argentina; gives students practice in interpreting geologic maps, using stereonets, and peer teaching. -

Analysis of Sidewalk Fractures part of Activities
Using fractures in sidewalks as an analog for natural outcrops, students learn to make systematic observations, measure the orientation and location of fractures, manipulate and analyze data, and ...

Laboratory Exercise: What Controls Rheology? part of Activities
In order to understand the factors that control rock rheology, students conduct a series of activities with analogue materials. The activities are compared to real examples from the field and ...

Normal Faults in Sand in a Shoe Box part of Activities
Students use sandbox models to investigate the characteristics of normal faults and parameters that influence their development; students gain practice in analytical thinking and synthesis of ...

Cracking and Crumbling: Exploring Mechanisms of Dike Emplacement part of Activities
Students explore the shape of basaltic dikes intruded into shale near Shiprock, New Mexico using published maps and a simple mechanical model. Students get practice in making quantitative ...

Friday Forum: Reading from the Primary Literature part of Activities
All students in the course read the same paper from the primary literature and write three questions about the paper. These questions are compiled by the instructor and distributed to the class ...