Core Analysis Webquest
Introduction
Scientific ocean drilling began 38 years ago. In the years since then, discoveries aboard the JOIDES Resolution
and its predecessor, the Glomar Challenger, have revolutionized the way scientists view our planet’s history. To
study the Earth scientists must drill into the sea floor for core samples. These core samples are recovered in long
tubes and brought to the surface for study. Scientists use these cores to learn about past environments, the deep
biosphere, Earth structure, and how earthquakes are triggered.
Task
You and your team of scientists are about to cruise from Panama to Barbados on the JOIDES Resolution
oceangoing research vessel, Leg 171. Your mission is to drill into the sea floor and recover a core sample from
Leg 171. You will describe the core and characterize its color, texture, lithography, bioturbation, structure, fossils,
chemistry, and magnetism. Your observations will lead to conclusions about the history of your samples.
The Process
You will take the role of one of four scientists (paleomagnetist, micropaleontologist, sedimentologist, or
geochemist) and perform their duties analyzing the core from Leg 171 Hole 1049A Core 16X-18x to piece
together the geologic history of the core sample.
1. Go to the map, print ODP Legs 100-210 in pdf format, and locate your drilling site.
The Analysis and Conclusion
2. Regroup with your fellow scientists with your initial reports to discuss your individual findings and
develop a final “story” or conclusion for your core. Support your conclusion with evidence. Share your
conclusion with your fellow scientists.
The Final Answer
3. Hand in your answer to the scientist role sheet, your individual report and group summary. Get the
explanation website from your teacher.
Core Analysis Webquest
Micropaleontologist
Visit the Paleontology lab on the JOIDES Resolution. How many computers are in the lab?
Throughout the last 10 years scientists have become keenly aware that much of the earth’s biomass can be found
in sediment and rocks found in the ocean floor. By studying core samples for protists, microscopic life forms,
micropaleontologists are able to date the layers of sediment of rock found within a core sample. You will be
looking at samples of microfossils as well as another unidentified sample from core 1049A sections 16X-18X.
Each of the microfossils is considered to be a foraminifer site 1 site 2 (forams for short) From the links find out:
1. What they are.
2. Where they live
3.What they indicate
4. Why they are important to you?
Here is a list of some of the species you will find in this core sample:
Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina (x16)
Guembelitria cretacea (x16 thru x18),
Eoglobigerina eobulloides (x16),
Abathomphalus mayaroensis (x18) ,
Hedbergella monmouthensi (x16 thru x18) ,
Racemiguembelina fructicosa (x18) .
Hedbergella delrioensis (x19)
Download Initial Reports Section 2 #3 and look at Table 5 on page 17-18. Check the table to make sure your
samples fit into sections 16-18X. Now that you are sure about which forams are found in your core sections you
will need to view them. Access the Chronos Portal, navigate to the “Resources” page, and then click on “Foram
Atlas” and “Foram Guide” to view microscopic pictures of forams.
1. Print a small picture of each.
2. For each individual species figure out main time period in which it lived and its size.
For your unidentified sample. go to site 1 and site 2, enlarge the picture, and print it. Answer the following
questions:
1. What is it?
2. How does it form?
3. What does it indicate about your drilling site?
Prepare an initial report and draw conclusions about your research that may explain the history of your sample.
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