Grand Canyon Grand Canyon RocksRocks

Investigation 3 Investigation 3

Earth HistoryEarth History

Grade 6Grade 6

SamplesSamples

Geologists take rock samples (small, Geologists take rock samples (small, representative pieces) to gather representative pieces) to gather information about the rock’s location information about the rock’s location and to draw where the samples were and to draw where the samples were located.located.

Geologists write detailed descriptions Geologists write detailed descriptions

of the rock samples in their field of the rock samples in their field journals. journals.

Sedimentary RocksSedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary rocks Sedimentary rocks are rocks that form are rocks that form in layers when in layers when sediments are sediments are cemented cemented together.together.

Examples: Examples: Limestone and Limestone and Sandstone Sandstone

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LayersLayers

Flat deposits of Flat deposits of rock. rock.

Layers can be Layers can be thick or thin, but thick or thin, but they always extend they always extend over a large area. over a large area.

Examples: Cakes, Examples: Cakes, paint, peanut paint, peanut butter. butter.

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CorrelationCorrelation

Correlate is a word Correlate is a word that means to find a that means to find a relationship or relationship or connection between connection between rock layers from rock layers from two or more two or more locations. locations.

Geologists make Geologists make connections about connections about rocks using rocks using correlation. correlation.

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Plateau Plateau

A large, nearly A large, nearly level area of land level area of land that has been that has been uplifted or uplifted or elevated above the elevated above the surrounding area. surrounding area.

Example: Colorado Example: Colorado PlateauPlateau

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Rock ColumnRock Column The sequence of rocks. The sequence of rocks.

The top layer in each The top layer in each column is exposed at column is exposed at the surface. the surface.

Geologists use rock Geologists use rock columns to show the columns to show the sequence of rocks that sequence of rocks that they see in a particular they see in a particular area. area.

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FormationFormation A rock layer A rock layer

composed of more composed of more than one kind of than one kind of rock, but that the rock, but that the sequence of rocks sequence of rocks can be recognized can be recognized from one place to from one place to another. another.

Examples: Kaibab Examples: Kaibab Formation and Formation and Moenkopi Formation. Moenkopi Formation.

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ElevationElevation

The vertical distance The vertical distance measured above sea measured above sea level.level.

Differential ErosionDifferential Erosion Occurs where a mountain Occurs where a mountain

or a plateau is made out or a plateau is made out of both soft, weak rocks of both soft, weak rocks (example: slate) (example: slate) andand harder, more resistant harder, more resistant rocks (example: rocks (example: Sandstone or Limestone). Sandstone or Limestone).

The weaker rocks wear The weaker rocks wear away faster, leaving away faster, leaving behind knobs and cliffs of behind knobs and cliffs of more resistant rocks. more resistant rocks.

Landforms shaped like Landforms shaped like steps or cliffs and slopes steps or cliffs and slopes are formed by the process are formed by the process of differential erosion. of differential erosion.

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FOSS Web Multimedia FOSS Web Multimedia Please visit the FOSS Website. Please visit the FOSS Website.

Go to Earth HistoryGo to Earth History User Name: Ms. WalshUser Name: Ms. Walsh Password: sciencerocksPassword: sciencerocks Click “Enter the Program” and “Continue”Click “Enter the Program” and “Continue” Go to the “Geology Lab” and go to “Earth Go to the “Geology Lab” and go to “Earth

Processes” Processes” View examples of Erosion and Deposition. View examples of Erosion and Deposition.

Please click on the link below to begin your Please click on the link below to begin your exploration: exploration:

http://www.fossweb.com/http://www.fossweb.com/