Title: Conceptual Learning Outcomes of Google Earth Exploration in Introductory
Geoscience Courses
Journal: Research in Science Education
Authors: Kelsey S. Bitting, Ph.D.1, Marsha J. McCartney, Ph.D.2, Kathy R. Denning,
M.S.3, Jennifer A. Roberts, Ph.D.4
Corresponding author: Kelsey S. Bitting, 1Center for Advancing Teaching and
Learning through Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA,
[email protected]
Prompts for Geology Explorations in Google Earth: Part 1 (Fall 2013)
In the Search box, type “Mt. St. Helens” (located in the state of Washington on the U.S.
west coast). Turn off layers such as “Borders and Labels,” “Places,” “Roads,” “3D
Buildings,” “Ocean,” “Weather,” and “More,” and within the Gallery layer, turn off
“360Cities,” “Everytrail,” “Google Earth Community,” “Webcams.travel,” and
“Wikiloc” to allow the program to run faster. Double-click on the remaining icons to
view photos and information about Mount Saint Helens.
1) Zoom out to an eye altitude of about 300-400 miles (eye altitude information is
located in the lower right hand corner, below the Google trademark). Is Mount
Saint Helens the only volcano near the west coast of the U.S.? If there are others,
what pattern do they produce? 1-2 full sentences
2) Download the USGS Earths_Tectonic_Plates.kmz file from Blackboard, and open
it with Google Earth. What is the tectonic setting of the west coast of the U.S.
(convergent boundary, divergent boundary, transform boundary, intraplate ocean
or continent)? In your own words, what is occurring at this type of boundary? 1-2
full sentences
3) Based on the tectonic setting you identified in the previous question, what process
is generating the magma at this boundary (pressure release, water addition, high
temperature)? How might this relate to the effusive or explosive nature of
eruptions that might happen at this type of boundary? paragraph (4-6 sentences)
4) Zoom in to an elevation of 50,000 to 40,000 ft above Mount Saint Helens. Name
at least two specific volcanic features you observe, and explain how each type of
volcanic feature would form. CITATION not required, but if you use anything
other than the Google Earth basic display, be sure to cite (additional photographs
or other satellite images embedded within Google Earth must be cited).
paragraph (4-6 sentences)
5) Move your cursor along the rim of Mount Saint Helens- What is its (approximate)
maximum elevation (located next to eye alt. at bottom right)? What is the
approximate average elevation of the surrounding landscape? Based on these
elevation data, do you believe crustal thickness and elevation increase or decrease
at convergent boundaries? (For a point of comparison, you might search
Lawrence, KS and determine its elevation!) paragraph (4-6 sentences)
6) How might the crustal thickness you inferred in question 6 influence the range of
compositions of lavas erupted there? How might this range of compositions
influence the explosive vs. effusive nature of the eruptions? paragraph (4-6
sentences)
7) When was the most recent major eruption of Mount Saint Helens? Was this an
explosive or effusive eruption? Which direction (N-S-E-W) was the eruption
directed? Based on the satellite image in Google Earth, how can you tell?
paragraph (4-6 sentences)
8) What was the sequence of events that lead to the eruption? What caused the
eruption (different than the cause of the initial melting!)? paragraph (4-6
sentences)- CITATION REQUIRED
9) Based on your knowledge of how and where different types of igneous rocks are
created, what type(s) of rock would you expect this eruption to generate, and
why? What minerals would likely be present in each of these types of rock?
paragraph (4-6 sentences)
10) What was the impact of the eruption on the surrounding ecosystem, landscape,
and population? How far away from the volcano were the impacts of the eruption
felt? paragraph (4-6 sentences)- CITATION REQUIRED
11) Create a DETAILED concept sketch of Mount Saint Helens, including the mantle
beneath it where melting is occurring, the two relevant tectonic plates, the
location of the trench relative to the volcano and the continent, where magma is
generated, and any other important details. Include labels for features (types of
crust, landforms, rock types, etc.) and processes (melting, eruption, plate motion,
etc.). Scan your concept map or take a high-resolution picture (or several, if
necessary for resolution), and upload the image with your assignment. Your
image must be sufficiently high-resolution to be read and understood easily!
12) Fly to the east coast of the U.S. Do you observe a similar pattern of volcanoes
there? Explain why the pattern is similar or different, based on what you know
about plate tectonics and igneous processes and landforms. paragraph (4-6
sentences)
13) Fly to Japan. Using the investigative steps above that you employed to understand
Mount Saint Helens, as well as the Earths_Tectonic_Plates layer, explain what
types of volcanoes you would find in Japan, what types of eruptions and materials
they would produce, and why. What is the origin of these islands? 2-3
paragraphs (4-6 sentences each!)
Prompts for Geology Explorations in Google Earth: Part 2 (Fall 2013)
Make sure you have your “Ocean” layer turned on, as well as your gallery. As with Part
1, turn off layers such as “Borders and Labels,” “Places,” “Roads,” “3D Buildings,”
“Ocean,” “Weather,” and “More,” and within the Gallery layer, turn off “360Cities,”
“Everytrail,” “Google Earth Community,” “Webcams.travel,” and “Wikiloc” to allow the
program to run faster.
Search for the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and zoom out to an eye altitude of 400-500
miles. Follow the reef up and down the coast, double-clicking on icons to examine
photos, videos, and other content.
1) What organism is primarily responsible for creating the reef? Describe the organism, what it needs to survive, and any other interesting facts about this type of organism. Based on these details, do you expect to find reefs near deltas, or in deep water? Why or why not? (CITE, 1-­‐‑2 paragraphs) 2) What type of rock (both general type-­‐‑ igneous/metamorphic/sedimentary-­‐‑ and specific name) will the Great Barrier Reef become if it is preserved? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) Search for the Amazon Delta in Brazil.
3) Zoom out to view the entire South American Continent. What is the origin of the sediment deposited in the Amazon Delta? Based on differences in elevation and vegetation, suggest three processes of weathering that might be responsible for producing sediment in two specific areas on the continent. (2-­‐‑3 sentences, include a screenshot marking the places you describe) 4) Zoom back in to the delta area. What type(s) of sediment would you expect the river to deposit in the delta? What will happen to the grain size of the sediment being deposited as you move offshore from the delta? Why? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) 5) If the sediment offshore from the delta continues to be buried and is lithified, what type of rock (both general type and specific names) would it produce? What type of event could eventually cause this rock to be uplifted above sea level? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) Search for “Azores and Madiera,” an island chain belonging to Portugal.
6) Examine the islands and explain their origin (1-­‐‑2 sentences). What rock types (both general type and specific names) are being produced on the islands and nearby submarine features, and how do you know? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) 7) What is the plate tectonic setting of the island chain? Given that information, what might you conclude about what processes related to plate tectonics might be causing these islands and submarine features? Download the “AgeOfOceanFloor.kmz” file from Blackboard, and open it using Google
Earth.
8) Zoom out to an eye altitude of about 6,000 miles and explore the Atlantic Ocean. What is the age of the oldest ocean crust shown? Where is it located? (1 sentence) 9) Next, explore the Pacific Ocean. What is the age of the oldest ocean crust here, and where is it located? (1 sentence) 10) Compare the ages of the ocean crust you observed in the three ocean basins to the “What Are The Ages of the Other Continents” figure on page 317 of your textbook, and describe the relationship. How might this age relationship relate to average density and the events that occur at different types of convergent plate boundaries? (2-­‐‑3 paragraphs) Search for Dinosaur National Monument (in Colorado). Fly in to an eye altitude of about
15,000 feet. Follow the road North from the Visitor’s Center past the cliff, clicking to
view photographs along the way, and observe the rocks in this area (some photos are
better than others, so be sure to look at many). Travel as far as the image titled “Harper’s
Corner Drive” (40/17’25.06”N, 108/58’17.66”W) and center this image in your screen.
11) What variations or features do you observe in the rocks that allow you to distinguish these layers in the photographs? What variations or features might allow you to distinguish the layering from map-­‐‑view, looking directly down in Google Earth? (2-­‐‑4 sentences) 12) Locate the image titled “sandstone” by ajz20 (south of the road, at 40/17’15.08”N, 108/58’25.53”W), and click the photograph to enlarge it to fill the window. What features do you observe in the sandstone? Which features are likely related to the depositional setting vs. modern weathering or erosion, and how can you tell? Based on the depositional features only, what ancient environment(s) might these rocks represent? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) 13) Visit the website for Dinosaur National Monument, including the Paleontology section (and other reputable websites). What type of environment was this location 190 million years ago (CITE)? In what type of environment were the fossils here deposited (CITE)? Through what series of events were the fossils here preserved (CITE)? (3-­‐‑5 sentences) 14) Provide a list of the various types of fossils found here (CITE). What fossils are most commonly preserved? Why? (3-­‐‑4 sentences, plus list) 15) Does the fossil assemblage described above likely represent the entire ecosystem of organisms living at this location at this time, most of the ecosystem, or only a small subsection of the ecosystem? Why? (3-­‐‑4 sentences) 16) When did dinosaurs become extinct (CITE)? How old is the oldest Homo sapiens (humans) fossil (CITE)? Based on these ages, could humans and dinosaurs have coexisted on Earth? Why or why not? (1-­‐‑2 paragraphs) Prompts for Geology Explorations in Google Earth (Summer 2014)
In the Search box, type “Mt. St. Helens” (located in the state of Washington on the U.S.
west coast). Turn off layers such as “Places,” “Roads,” “3D Buildings,” “Ocean,”
“Weather,” and “More,” and within the Gallery layer, turn off everything but the
Volcanoes layer to allow the program to run faster.
1) Zoom out to an eye altitude of about 300-400 miles (eye altitude information is
located in the lower right hand corner, below the Google trademark). Is Mount
Saint Helens the only volcano near the west coast of the U.S.? If there are others,
what pattern do they produce? (1-2 full sentences)
2) Turn on the “Earthquakes” layer in the Gallery. Do earthquakes also occur in this
region (Washington and Oregon)? If so, what is the relationship between the
pattern of earthquakes and the pattern of volcanoes? (2-3 full sentences)
3) Download the USGS Earths_Tectonic_Plates.kmz file from Blackboard, and open
it with Google Earth. What is the tectonic setting of the west coast of the U.S.
(convergent boundary, divergent boundary, transform boundary, intraplate ocean
or continent)? In your own words, what is occurring at this type of boundary? (1-2
full sentences)
4) Based on the tectonic setting you identified in the previous question, what process
is generating the magma at this boundary (pressure release, water addition, high
temperature)? Be sure to check your textbook before answering- many people get
this one wrong! How might this relate to the effusive or explosive nature of
eruptions that might happen at this type of boundary? Explain. (paragraph, 4-6
sentences)
5) Based on the distribution of volcanoes in this area that you noted in question 1
and the process causing melting you noted in question 3, how widespread do you
think the area of origin for this magma would be? For example, is it more likely
that there is a vast magma reservoir all throughout the Earth’s core or mantle, or a
localized body of melted rock beneath the crust just under the line of volcanoes?
Explain your reasoning. (paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
6) Zoom in to an elevation of 50,000 to 40,000 ft above Mount Saint Helens. Name
at least two specific volcanic features you observe, and explain how each type of
volcanic feature would form. CITATION not required, but if you use anything
other than the Google Earth basic display, be sure to cite (additional photographs
or other satellite images embedded within Google Earth must be cited).
(paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
7) Move your cursor along the rim of Mount Saint Helens- What is its (approximate)
maximum elevation (located next to eye alt. at bottom right)? What is the
approximate average elevation of the surrounding landscape? Based on these
elevation data, do you believe crustal thickness and elevation increase or decrease
at convergent boundaries? (For a point of comparison, you might search
Lawrence, KS and determine its elevation!) (paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
8) Consider Bowen’s reaction series and its influence on the process of fractional
crystallization. How might the crustal thickness you inferred in question 6
influence the range of compositions of lavas erupted there? How might this range
of compositions influence the explosive vs. effusive nature of the eruptions?
(paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
9) When was the most recent major eruption of Mount Saint Helens? Was this an
explosive or effusive eruption? Which direction (N-S-E-W) was the eruption
directed? Based on the satellite image in Google Earth, how can you tell?
(paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
10) What was the sequence of events that lead to the eruption? What caused the
eruption (different than the cause of the initial melting!)? (paragraph, 4-6
sentences)- CITATION REQUIRED
11) Based on your knowledge of how and where different types of igneous rocks are
created, what type(s) of rock would you expect this eruption to generate, and
why? What minerals would likely be present in each of these types of rock?
(paragraph, 4-6 sentences)
12) What was the impact of the eruption on the surrounding ecosystem, landscape,
and population? How far away from the volcano were the impacts of the eruption
felt? (paragraph, 4-6 sentences)- CITATION REQUIRED
13) Consider what will happen to the Cascades range (Mt. St. Helens and the
surrounding mountain range) over time under atmospheric conditions. Will the
mountains look the same after 10 million years? Why or why not? (3-4 sentences)
14) Fly to the east coast of the U.S. Do you observe a similar pattern of volcanoes
there? Explain why the pattern is similar or different, based on what you know
about plate tectonics and igneous processes and landforms. (paragraph, 4-6
sentences)
Search for the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and zoom out to an eye altitude of 400-500
miles. Turn on the Gallery, and follow the reef up and down the coast, double-clicking on
icons to examine photos, videos, and other content.
15) What organism is primarily responsible for creating the reef? Describe the
organism, what it needs to survive, and any other interesting facts about this type
of organism. Based on these details, do you expect to find reefs near deltas, or in
deep water? Why or why not? (CITE, 1-2 paragraphs)
16) What type of rock (both general type- igneous/metamorphic/sedimentary- and
specific name) will the Great Barrier Reef become if it is preserved? (3-4
sentences)
17) Describe a few organisms in this environment that are likely to be preserved as
fossils, and a few that are not. Clearly and fully describe your reasoning behind
the classifications you make. (1-2 paragraphs)
Search for the Amazon Delta in Brazil.
18) Zoom out to view the entire South American Continent. What is the origin of the
sediment deposited in the Amazon Delta? Based on differences in elevation and
vegetation, suggest three processes of weathering that might be responsible for
producing sediment in two specific areas on the continent. (2-3 sentences)
19) Zoom back in to the delta area. What type(s) of sediment would you expect the
river to deposit in the delta? What will happen to the grain size of the sediment
being deposited as you move offshore from the delta? Why? (3-4 sentences)
20) If the sediment offshore from the delta continues to be buried and is lithified,
what type of rock (both general type and specific names) would it produce? What
type of event could eventually cause this rock to be uplifted above sea level? (3-4
sentences)
21) Across the continent, where are fossils likely to be preserved? Where are they not
likely to be preserved? Approximately what percentage of the South American
ecosystem would therefore be preserved? Explain your reasoning. (3-4 sentences)
Search for “Azores and Madiera,” an island chain belonging to Portugal.
22) Examine the islands and explain their origin (1-2 sentences). What rock types
(both general type and specific names) are being produced on the islands and
nearby submarine features, and how do you know? (3-4 sentences)
23) Analyze the nearby ocean floor, looking for features that would mark divergent
boundaries (mid-ocean ridges) or convergent boundaries (deep ocean trenches).
What is the plate tectonic setting of the island chain? Given that information, what
process might be causing these islands and submarine features to form? (3-4
sentences)
Download the “AgeOfOceanFloor.kmz” file from Blackboard, and open it using Google
Earth.
24) Zoom out to an eye altitude of about 6,000 miles and explore the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the age of the oldest ocean crust shown? Where is it located? (1 sentence)
25) Next, explore the Pacific Ocean. What is the age of the oldest ocean crust here,
and where is it located? (1 sentence)
26) Compare the ages of the ocean crust you observed in the three ocean basins to the
ages of continental crust shown in figure 9.27 (Chapter 9) of your textbook, and
describe the comparison. How might this age relationship relate to average rock
density and tectonic events that occur at different types of convergent plate
boundaries? (2-3 paragraphs)
Search for Dinosaur National Monument (in Colorado). Turn on the layers in the gallery,
and fly in to an eye altitude of about 15,000 feet. Follow the road North from the
Visitor’s Center past the cliff, clicking to view photographs along the way, and observe
the rocks in this area (some photos are better than others, so be sure to look at many).
Travel as far as the image titled “Harper’s Corner Drive” (40/17’25.06”N,
108/58’17.66”W) and center this image in your screen.
27) What variations or features do you observe in the rocks that allow you to
distinguish these layers in the photographs? What variations or features might
allow you to distinguish the layering from map-view, looking directly down in
Google Earth? (2-4 sentences)
28) Locate the image titled “sandstone” by ajz20 (south of the road, at
40/17’15.08”N, 108/58’25.53”W), and click the photograph to enlarge it to fill the
window. What features do you observe in the sandstone? Which features are
likely related to the depositional setting vs. modern weathering or erosion, and
how can you tell? Based on the depositional features only, what ancient
environment(s) might these rocks represent? (3-4 sentences)
29) Visit the website for Dinosaur National Monument, including the Paleontology
section (and other reputable websites). What type of environment was this
location 190 million years ago (CITE)? In what type of environment were the
fossils here deposited (CITE)? Through what series of events were the fossils
here preserved (CITE)? (3-5 sentences)
30) Provide a list of the various types of fossils found here (CITE). What fossils are
most commonly preserved? Why? (3-4 sentences, plus list)
31) Does the fossil assemblage described above likely represent the entire ecosystem
of organisms living at this location at this time, most of the ecosystem, or only a
small subsection of the ecosystem? Why? (3-4 sentences)
32) When did dinosaurs become extinct (CITE)? How old is the oldest Homo
sapiens (human) fossil (CITE)? Based on these ages, could humans and dinosaurs
have coexisted on Earth? Why or why not? (1-2 paragraphs)