What are Volcanic Hazards?
In this video we will describe the most common types of volcanic hazards associated with a volcanic eruption. We begin by considering the threat of an eruption from a Cascade Range volcano for citizens of Portland and Seattle. These are examples of composite volcanoes. Eruptions of these types of volcanoes produce tephra, lahars, pyroclastic flows and lava. Tephra represents the debris blasted into the air and can range in size from tiny glass shards to large blocks blasted out of the volcanic cone. When tephra combines with water it forms lahars that can transport all sizes of debris. Fast moving, toxic pyroclastic flows are among the most dangerous volcanic hazards. Lava plays a relatively modest role in eruptions of composite volcanoes but is a common product of shield volcanoes such as those in Hawaii.

Convergent Plate Boundaries
This video describes the physical features that can be observed at three different types of convergent plate boundaries and explains the geologic processes that produce these features. We characterize the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes associated with convergent boundaries and relate them to subduction of the cold descending plate and the addition of water to the hot overriding plate. We describe the difference between a volcanic arc and an island arc, and discuss why the crust is much thicker where to slabs of continental lithosphere collide. Finally, we use hands and oven mitts to produce simple analogs of the three convergent boundary types. Really.

Metamorphic Rocks (& toast)
This video discusses the formation of metamorphic rocks, one of the three major groups of rocks on Earth and the bedrock under much of North America. We explain that toast is a metamorphic form of bread and describe the conditions necessary for metamorphism to occur (burial of rocks, proximity to magma, plate tectonic settings). You will learn about the metamorphic temperature window, how developing a foliation is similar to squeezing a marshmallow, the names of some common metamorphic rocks, and what happens when sandstone and limestone are subjected to higher temperatures and pressures.

Glacial Landforms
In this video we review the principal landforms created by glacial erosion (cirques, arêtes, striations, U-shaped valleys, fjords) and deposition (till, moraine, drumlins, eskers, kettle lakes, outwash plain, erratics). We discuss how a pair of glacial erosion processes - plucking, abrasion - work to break down rocks and modify the landscape. We compare and contrast glacial deposits made up of an unsorted mix of clay, sand and boulders and those that have been generated by running water. Finally, we start and finish the video by trying to figure out how a giant boulder ended up jammed in among the trees in Yellowstone National Park. The video ends with a short review quiz that asks you to identify four images of different landforms.

Flipping a Geology Class
This video describes the characteristics of our flipped introductory geology class with a focus on what students do before coming to class. We discuss the research behind why we wanted to adopt a flipped format and describe how we adapted the delivery of content to include a mix of in- and out-of-class activities. We specifically discuss the use of short videos to support pre-class learning and how this has increased the time available in class for active learning exercises. Finally, we present the results of some of our research that shows that students learn more from viewing the videos than from reading equivalent textbook passages.

Tsunami Caught on Camera
A British Documentary on the Boxing Day Tsunami that hit Asia in 2004

Brinicle / Icy Finger of Death- Frozen Planet
Time-lapse footage of salt water being excluded from the sea ice and sinking & freezing

Building Floats down I-24 in Nashville
Video shows a building floating down the flooded interstate

Pyroclastic Flow in Japan: Maurice and Katia Kraft
Overview of the work by the Krafts in filming volcanoes, include footage of the pyroclastic flow that killed them on Mt. Unzen, Japan in 1991

The "Acid Test" - Reaction of Calcite
The mineral calcite is tested against a cold, dilute (10%) solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Observation reveals a reaction that is characteristic of this mineral, and helps in identifying calcite.