Transcript 10-13 Sand
10/13/08
Rock Layer Formation
Lesson #27
Quick Write:
Geologists have devised methods to estimate the ages of rocks
in the Grand Canyon. Geologists have determined:
•
•
•
•
The Earth is probably 4.5 billion years old.
Kaibab Limestone is about 250 million years old.
Muav Limestone is about 530 million years old.
Under Muav Limestone is a layer of shale and then a layer of
sandstone.
• The oldest rock layer in the Grand Canyon, found far under the
Muav Limestone, is at least 1.7 billion years old.
What events or processes do you think caused these
rock layers to form?
Reminders:
-Scientist report due TOMORROW
-Earth History Test
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Draw a line under today’s quick write representing the end of
today’s ideas.
Leave the rest of your quick write page blank so we can come
back to it later.
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Rock Layer Formation
Which Grand Canyon rocks are sandstones?
Coconino Sandstone and Supai Sandstone
How do we know a rock is sandstone?
Sandy (gritty, grainy) texture
Sand comes off when two pieces rub together
Acid soaks in
What is sandstone made of?
Sand
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Which came first, the sand or the sandstone?
Support your answer with evidence.
Where could the sand have come from?
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How could you conduct an investigation to see if
sand really can come from broken-up pieces of rock?
Available Materials per group:
• 1 plastic jar with lid
• 3 pieces of granite (common hard rock from
mountain ranges)
• 2 hand lenses
• Rulers
Take 7 minutes to plan with your group before getting
any materials.
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Try out your plan (3-5min)
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STOP creating sand.
Take out remaining large granite pieces.
Collect your sand on a piece of white paper
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Use hand lenses to closely observe the sand, remaining pieces
of granite, and an unused piece of granite.
Diagram the used granite, unused granite, and sand.
Follow the ABCDs of scientific diagrams.
(Accurate, Big, Colorful, Detailed)
For example: Draw sand particles precisely using
shading or color. Do not just make dots to represent
sand.
Label your diagram(s) with specific measurements,
shapes/textures, and colors.
10/13/08
Rock Layer Formation
Lesson #27
10/13/08
Rock Layer Formation
Lesson #27
10/13/08
Rock Layer Formation
Lesson #27
Earth History Test
-Observation and Inference
Determine if a given statement is an observation or inference
-Calcite, Limestone, Shale, Sandstone
- Know how to identify a rock as limestone, shale, or
sandstone using acid
- Know which type of rock contains calcite and how calcite
reacts to acid.
-Differential erosion
- Know how differential erosion effects the shape of
remaining rock
- Infer if specific rock layers are harder or softer than
surrounding rocks based on the landform left by differential
erosion
Additional Vocabulary:
- rock column, correlation, plateau, rock layers, rock samples,
formation