Metamorphism of siliceous dolostone: An example from the Alta stock, Utah part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this exercise students study the low variance mineral assemblages from the contact aureole of the Alta stock to learn how rock and fluid compositions control mineral assemblages during contact metamorphism.

Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
In this exercise, students use whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions of igneous rocks from a variety of tectonic settings and locations to explore the importance of plate setting in determining magma ...

Mass Balance and Mineral Reactions part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a short exercise to make sure that students understand mass balance and how the different starting assemblages may lead to different results after metamorphism. It is quick but not trivial.

Vectors and slope stability part of Quantitative Skills:Activity Collection
An in-class activity or homework for fraphically solving slope-stability problems with vectors.

T-X Phase Diagrams part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a 15 page tutorial and problem set designed to get students familiar with T-X diagrams, their implications, and uses.

Schreinemakers Analysis - Problem #3: Analysis of an Invariant Point part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a challenging Schreinemakers analysis problem.

Calculating Compositional Variation and Common Substitutions for Igneous and Metamorphic Minerals part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This problem set uses Excel spreadsheets to calculate mineral formulae from analytical data (typically from the electron microprobe) using a variety of formulations that assume numerous variations of crystal ...

Where is that chunk of crust going? part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
I introduce students to GPS, frames of reference, and the permanent GPS stations in the EarthScope Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO) in class, and obtain near-real-time data for two stations from UNAVCO. We use ...

Calculating a Simple Phase Diagram: Diamond=Graphite part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a very short exercise designed to get students to understand how the Gibbs energy equation is used to calculate the location of a reaction in P-T space. I use it in-class and have students work on it in ...

Teaching Stable Isotope Geochemistry in an Undergraduate Petrology or Geochemistry Course part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This assignment includes three reading assignments for students that (1) introduce the basics of stable isotope geochemistry, (2) explain carbon and oxygen isotopic shifts that result from volatilization and/or ...

Introduction to Gibbs Energy part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This is a short project that can be used in-class or as homework. It involves just a few questions and it is intended to help students understand the idea of Gibbs free energy.

Calculation of your personal carbon footprint part of Cutting Edge:Energy:Energy Activities
This worksheet walks the students through the steps for calculating their personal carbon footprint. Additionally it helps them consider options for reducing their carbon footprint and the potential costs of those ...

The Non-linearity of Environmental Change: A coral reef model part of Cutting Edge:Environmental Geology:Activities
This is an exercise that is used in an undergraduate, non-major course titled "Coral Reefs: Biology, Geology & Policy". The course uses this popular environment as a proxy for environmental decline ...

Cracking and Crumbling: Exploring Mechanisms of Dike Emplacement part of Cutting Edge:Structural Geology: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 measurements, evaluating ...

Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites part of Cutting Edge:Geochemistry:Activities
In this exercise, students use geochemical data downloaded from the GEOROC database to explore the origins of compositional variation among volcanic rocks associated with the Yellowstone and Crater Lake calderas.

Using the EXCEL Woburn Flow and Transport Model to Teach Modeling Concepts part of Cutting Edge:Hydrogeology:Activities
Modeling ties together many subjects taught in an introductory hydrogeology course. The goals of this activity are for students to learn why scientists and engineers use models, what types of models are commonly ...

Introduction to Mineral Equilibria part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This activity features a short problem set to be used in class. It helps focus the discussion, while providing a starting point for an introduction to mineral reactions and phase diagrams.

Interpreting T-X Diagrams part of Cutting Edge:Petrology:Teaching Examples
This exercise is designed to help students learn how to interpret T-X phase diagrams. It also introduces them to the systematics of reactions involving a group of minerals.

Flooding in the Finger Lakes Region, NY part of Quantitative Skills:Activity Collection

Phase Equilibria part of Cutting Edge:Mineralogy:Activities
This is a short exercise that introduces basic thermodynamics.