Discussion 1 -
Choose either a radiometric dating technique or an index (guide) fossil. Be sure to describe the elements used in the dating technique, the ages of rock for which it is useful and what rocks or minerals are involved. For the index fossil, describe the type of organism and the time period in which it lived (e.g. Cretaceous, 71-65 million years ago).
Discussion 2 -
There are many properties used to identify minerals. Choose a mineral and describe how it exhibits one of those properties. You cannot choose one from this week's lab, nor can you choose one that has already been described. You can choose a property that has already been discussed for a different mineral.
Discussion 3 -
here are many properties used to identify rocks. Choose a rock and describe how it exhibits one of those properties. You cannot choose one from this week's lab, nor can you choose one that has already been described. You can choose a property that has already been discussed for a different rock.
Discussion 4 -
Choose one of the world's rivers. Using an online source, find and list its latitude and longitude, length, discharge, its point of origin (source), the elevation of its origin (source), where its mouth is located and the elevation of the mouth. Determine the change in elevation and the gradient.
Discussion 5 -
Choose one of the periods or epochs of the geologic time scale and describe it. Be sure to include its numeric age, any major fossil groups that lived then and any major geological events that took place at that time. Feel free to include anything else that you might discover such as climate, oxygen levels or extinctions.
Alternatively, you can choose a landform near to you, one that you've visited or one that you find interesting. Describe that landform including its location, type, elevation and the age of the rock. Compare the age of the landform to the ages of the rocks adjacent to or surrounding it.
Discussion 6 -
Why is it important for scientists to study the whole solar system? Choose a planned space mission or a space mission from the past 10 years and describe its purpose. What do you think we have learned or will potentially learn from this mission? Give an example of an Earth process or feature that we find elsewhere in the solar system.