Investigating slope failure and landscape evolution with red beans and rice!
Tom Hickson, University of St. Thomas (MN)
Students investigate the behavior of a slope profile over geological timescales using a very simple experimental apparatus. The lab allows students to understand concepts of equilibrium, controls on slope profile, ...

Life and Death of Hawaiian Volcanoes: A Jigsaw Activity on the Hawaiian Ridge
Andrew Greene, Hawaii Pacific University; Michael Garcia, University of Hawaii at Hilo
This activity immerses students in the discovery and appreciation of the Hawaiian hotspot, and the growth and evolution of Hawaiian volcanoes. This engaging, interactive group activity uses a beautiful 25 foot long ...

Exploring the Link between Hurricanes and Climate using GCM Results
Cindy Shellito, University of Northern Colorado
This activity requires students to examine global climate model output available online and consider the potential impact of global warming on tropical cyclone initiation and evolution. As a follow-up, students ...

Unit 4: GPS and infinitesimal strain analysis
Vince Cronin, Baylor University (Vince_Cronin@baylor.edu) Phil Resor, Wesleyan University (presor@wesleyan.edu)
Students work with GPS velocity data from three stations in the same region that form an acute triangle. By investigating how the ellipse inscribed within this triangle deforms, students learn about strain, strain ...

Red Beans and Rice: Slope failure experimental modeling
Tom Hickson, University of St. Thomas (MN)
Students replicate a slope failure experiment published in Science (Densmore et al., 1997) using a simple, acrylic slope failure box in an effort to forge a link between autocyclic processes, long-term landscape ...

Unit 2: Causes of Mass Extinction
Rebecca Teed, Wright State University-Main Campus
During Unit 2, students will learn about the causes of two past mass extinctions and discuss the controversies surrounding these causes and the evidence upon which the theories in the debates are based. Before ...

Unit 4: Anatomy of a tragic slide: Oso Landslide case study
Becca Walker, Mt. San Antonio College
Landslides can have profound societal consequences, such as did the slide that occurred near Oso, Washington in 2014. Forty-three people were killed and entire rural neighborhood was destroyed. In this unit, ...

Seismology with smart phones and Raspberry Shake geophone systems
Robert Stewart, University of Houston-University Park
This activity introduces students to the concept of vibration recording and the monitoring of seismic shaking. The basic concept is to use motion-sensing devices to understand the character of vibrations and ...

Hazardous Waste and Toxics: Real Data for Real Places
Richard Kujawa, Saint Michaels College
A hands-on lab to explore Superfund, Toxics Release Inventory and TOXMAP online data to examine geographies of hazardous waste, toxic releases into the environment and their connections with socio-economic, environmental and health impacts. The lab includes directed and self-directed components.

Field Trip to Explore Local Natural Disasters
Robert Clayton, Brigham Young University-Idaho
All on-campus Natural Disasters students at BYU-Idaho (1200 - 1800 students per year) go on a field trip to develop field observation skills. We visit the Teton Dam, Henry's Fork caldera (part of the Yellowstone hot spot track), and 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake area.