Rocks, Weathering, and Erosional Landscapes

Dr. Lindley Hanson
,
Salem State College
Author Profile

Summary

Students will identify a variety of silicate minerals and rocks and relate them to their topographic expression according to relative resistance.

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Context

Audience

Introductory geomorphology course for second year students. The only prerequisite is physical geology.

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

They should have retained from their introductory geology course a basic knowledge of how to classify rocks and minerals and read topographic maps. This lab assumes that students remember how to determine the properties of minerals and identify the textures of rocks.

How the activity is situated in the course

This is the first lab of the course. It's is designed to help students transport basic skills acquired in the introductory physically geology course and apply them to geomorphology.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Students will identify principal rock forming silicate minerals and distinguish their relative stability when exposed to weathering; identify sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and deduce the relative resistance based on mineral composition and texture;and finally relate erosional landscapes to the differential weathering and erosion of rocks of varying strengths.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Interpret lithology from topography.

Other skills goals for this activity

mineral and rock identification, reading topographic maps, summary writing

Description of the activity/assignment

Students will identify principal rock forming silicate minerals and distinguish their relative stability when exposed to weathering; identify sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and deduce the relative resistance based on mineral composition and texture;and finally relate erosional landscapes to the differential weathering and erosion of rocks of varying strengths.
Designed for a geomorphology course

Determining whether students have met the goals

Summary essay and preformance on future labs and quizzes.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

Teaching materials and tips

Other Materials

Supporting references/URLs

Included in the lab.