"ZirChron" Virtual Zircon Analysis App part of Teaching Examples
Mark Schmitz, Boise State University
This web-based app is designed to help students evaluate a radioisotopic age and its uncertainty based upon the collection of data, the application of statistics, and the interpretation of geological and analytical ...

When and How Did Continental Crust Form? part of Teaching Examples
Dave Mogk, Montana State University-Bozeman
Many models have been proposed regarding the timing and mechanisms that first formed the continental crust. The purpose of this exercise is to help students explore the question of crustal genesis and evolution ...

Teaching Stable Isotope Geochemistry in an Undergraduate Petrology or Geochemistry Course part of Teaching Examples
Steve Dunn
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 ...

Binary eutectic in-class exercise (Di-An) part of Teaching Examples
Allen Glazner
In this activity students work through a binary eutectic phase diagram in small groups and try to determine a set of generalizations that explain the behavior of such systems (e.g., "the first liquid produced ...

Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites part of Integrating Research and Education:EarthChem:Compositional Diversity in Volcanic Suites
Kent Ratajeski, Calvin University
Kent Ratajeski Published Oct. 26, 2004. Description In this exercise, students use whole-rock major- and trace-element compositions of volcanic rocks to explore the origins of compositional variation in igneous ...

Igneous Rock Compositions and Plate Tectonics part of Teaching Examples
Allen Glazner, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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 ...

The Cretaceous Superplume part of Integrating Research and Education:Cretaceous
Kent Ratajeski, Calvin University
This page was written by Kent Ratajeski as part of the DLESE Community Services Project: Integrating Research in Education. HideA satellite gravity and bathymetric map of the Ontong-Java plateau, an igneous ...

Crystallization-Differentiation of Basaltic Magma part of Geochemistry:Activities
Kent Ratajeski, Calvin University
In this exercise, students use geochemical data from volcanic glasses and minerals in lavas and drill cores from the solidified Kilauea Iki lava lake to learn about the petrologic processes related to the eruption ...

Rb-Sr isotope in-class exercise part of Teaching Examples
Allen Glazner
This set of problems involves calculations of changes in radiogenic isotope ratios. It requires students to understand the concept of an isochron and how isotope ratios change (or do not change) during magma mixing ...

Mole %, Weight %, Compositions and Projections part of Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This is an introductory exercise intended to get students thinking about mole vs weight % and about the power and problems of projections.

What can zircons tell us about the Early Earth? part of Early Earth:Activities
Aaron Cavosie, University of Puerto Rico; Julie Baldwin, University of Montana; Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University
This image shows an array of Jack Hill zircons arranged on a piece of tape prior to casting in epoxy. Details Students create U-Pb concordia plots in Excel to experience the methods used to date the worlds oldest ...

Crystallization-Differentiation of the Kilauea Iki Lava Lake part of Integrating Research and Education:EarthChem:Kilauea Iki Lava Lake
Kent Ratajeski, Calvin University
Kent Ratajeski Published Oct. 26, 2004. Description In this exercise, students use major-element compositions of whole-rocks, volcanic glasses, and minerals in lavas and drill cores from the solidified Kilauea Iki ...

Major Element Control Presentation part of Teaching Examples
Kurt Hollocher, Union College (Lincoln, NE)
The presentation is an introduction to the control of magma chemical compositions by the fractionation of crystallizing phases. It is followed by a lab exercise where students interpret volcanic rock petrology and ...

Batch and Rayleigh Decarbonation Modeling of d13C part of Teaching Examples
Jade Star Lackey, Pomona College
This is an Excel spreadsheet and graph that illustrates standard "batch" and Rayleigh decarbonation models and how they can be used to detect fluid infiltration during metamorphism of carbonates. It makes ...

Constructing a two component phase diagram using experimental data in the hypothetical system A-B part of Teaching Examples
R. K. Smith
The purpose of this exercise is to give students the experience of constructing a hypothetical two component T-X phase diagram from "experimentally" obtained data and the kinds of data that are involved.