National Schools Geology Challenge

As holders of the coveted award, we are now looking for a new team to compete in the National Schools Geology Challenge.

A team of no more than 6 is needed for the competition (however only four can take part in the quiz round).

It involves preparing an A1 Sized poster, a 5 minute presentation (Powerpoint/Prezi/Keynote) and the famous Quiz round!

Closing date for poster is the 1st March (so plenty of time available!) 

The regional round at Plymouth Uni is early in March. 

If we win that we go to London for the National Final.

I will give information on the topics we can chose in lessons this week.

Y12 & Y13 are eligible to participate!

Geological Mapping: El Capitan

El Capitan is an awesome 1000m high rock face 

in Yosemite Valley (California). 

Follow the link to see the overlay/photo reveal the geology 

and see how it was done.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130612-yosemite-el-capitan-rock-mapped/

Earth's Dynamic Systems

Earth's Dynamic Systems is a really good American text book. 

They have kindly made an online version.

Each chapter of the text book has quizzes to check your understanding.

http://www.earthds.info/

GEOLOGY SELFIE COMPETITION

DWR at Siccar Point Unconformity

Have you taken a 'Geology Selfie'? 

If not, why not take one and enter our fabulous competition?!

Barney Beauchamp would have won last year (if I had thought of it!)

Colorado Floods Before and After

Follow the link and have a look at the spectacular before and after photos:

http://www.denverpost.com/2013coloradofloods/ci_24115527/before-after-photos-colorado-flood-2013

250m tall Deep Sea waves discovered in Pacific Ocean

Waves more than 800 feet tall have been found to form and break underwater in parts of the deep ocean. They would be the ultimate in big wave surfing. Scientists have discovered waves that rise up to be taller than some sky scrapers. However, rather than being found on sun kissed beaches in exotic locations around the world, these waves are three miles beneath the surface of the ocean.  Researchers found the waves, which are also known as internal waves, form at the boundary between two layers of water with different densities in a deep ocean trench in the South Pacific Ocean.The waves rise up due to ridges on the ocean floor of a narrow channel to the north west of Samoa that forces cold, saltier water to rise up into the warmer water above.

For more information click:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10300388/800-feet-tall-deep-sea-waves-discovered-in-Pacific-Ocean.html

Pakistan Earthquake & New Island created

A powerful earthquake has killed at least 328 people and wounded hundreds more in Pakistan's remote south-west province of Balochistan.

The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday afternoon at a depth of 20km (13 miles) north-east of Awaran, the US Geological Survey said.

Many houses were flattened and thousands of people have spent the night in the open.

Report about the earthquake:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24238033

Pakistani officials are investigating a small island, about 60 feet high, 100 feet long and 250 feet wide, that has appeared off the coast of Pakistan

Dr Brian Baptie, Head of Earthquake Seismology at the British Geological Survey said that the island was likely to be a mud volcano, created by the movement of gases locked in the earth under the sea, pushing mud and earth up to the surface.

"Mud volcanoes are often caused in certain areas as a result of ground shaking during earthquakes ... That shaking results in the release of mud and silt that is pressurised underground.

Video of the new island:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24222760

How Vertebrates Came to Rule the Earth

Very relevant for Y13 Geology. 

David Attenborough visits China's Pompeii to explore the origin of the backbone on a 500-million-year-old journey

• The first episode of David Attenborough's two-part documentary, Rise of Animals: Triumph of the vertebrates, on BBC 2 and iplayer.
  
• Sir David explores the origins of the backbone by studying a tiny prehistoric animal and a living fossil living in the south of England
• The documentary uses CGI animation to bring long-dead creatures to life such as the Tiktaalik and famous feathered dinosaur
  
• 
  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03bgs18/David_Attenboroughs_Rise_of_Animals_Triumph_of_the_Vertebrates_From_the_Seas_to_the_Skies/ 

THE TRUTH BEHIND FRACKING (ITV THURSDAY 7.30PM)

I have become frustrated that every news bulletin has referred to 'the controversial technique of fracking' not the 'revolutionary/exciting technique of fracking'.

I wonder what the 'spin' will be in this programme?

Fracking (unconventional hydrocarbon resources) are part of the A2 geology course.

Thursday 19th September on ITV from 7:30pm to 8:00pm

Fuel companies say drilling for gas and oil using a process known as fracking is clean, safe and could meet the UK's energy needs. Recent exploratory drilling in Sussex has sparked high profile anti-fracking protests amid fears about its impact on the environment. So what exactly is fracking - and why are people so concerned about it? Fiona Foster travels to a town in Pennsylvania in the US where fracking is dividing the community, despite the fact that it is cutting domestic fuel bills by up to a third.

See labels (on side of blog) for more information on Fracking.

The big debate on fracking is also considered here:

http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/934

GIANT VOLCANO DISCOVERED

Scientists say that they have discovered the single largest volcano in the world, a dead colossus deep beneath the Pacific waves.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24007339

BATH GEOL SOC LECTURE

Volcanic risk communication: a heart-breaking subject - - still with almost no light at the end of the tunnel

Professor Robert Thompson, Emeritus professor of Geology, Durham University

Thursday 3rd October

Meet in Stableyard at 1740

Burger in Bath 1825 (bring cash)

Lecture starts at 1930

Return to school 2130

Cost £2 + burger money

GIANT BOULDER LANDSLIDE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRNDNC1ypZE