Physical Science Geology Field Trip
Geology Field Trip – Portland Headlight Station Packet At each station, there are different directions. In this packet you will find instructions for each station, and places to take notes. Mapping Keep in mind that Station 6 is the Mapping station. You will need to roughly sketch out a map, and make sure to document important features along the way. However, because you will arrive here at different times, as you move along the paths here at Fort Williams note important features (For example: headlight, Cushing formation, beach, etc.), and start a sketch of your map as you go through the stations this morning. TIP - If you count and record your strides from station to station, you can then measure your stride in feet and figure about approximately how far you traveled, and the distance between stations. This will help to make a more accurate map! Station #1: History (Mr. Pearl and Mr. Farrington)
Strides:
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip History: Take notes of the history of the lighthouse as well as that of the famous poet Longfellow. There are plaques around that talk about the history. If you do a little research you could probably find out about some famous shipwrecks that took place here before the Headlight was put in. There are also plaques on route to the next station. Reminder: at about 20-30 minutes past the hour, the Headlight Web cam takes a photo to be posted on the web (in case you’re in the vicinity)
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip (Station #1 Continued)
Geology: Look for intrusions and dikes. B basalt. Record observations.
Station #2: Geology & Observations (Ms. Wooten)
Strides:
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip 1. Observe rocks in hula-hoops, draw a sketch of what you see in the hula-hoop (and take a picture). 2. Identify at least 3 different rock types in the hoops.
2. Sketch of hula-hoop rocks
3. Take pictures (or have someone take a picture for you) of the following. For each record: location & brief description. Item Evidence of weathering
Location and Description
Quartz vein
Basalt Dike
Metamorphic Rock Igneous Rock
Rock types: 1. _________________ 2. __________
Sedimentary Rock
3. __________________ Why are these rocks shaped like thi
Animal Sign
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip
(Station #2 Continued) - Beach Comparisons with Station #4 Beach. Observe and describe this side of beach compared to other, more weathered, more plant life, steeper, etc. Station 2 Beach Observations Station 4 Beach Ob Compositio n of sediments ie: shells, rocks
Size & shape of sediments
Slope
Surroundin g landscape
Plant life
Waves Station #3: Professional Geologist Consultation (Mrs. Shaw)
Strides:
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip Geology 1. Mr. Walter Anderson was the State Geologist from 1979 to 1995. He lives in Yarmouth, and has been kind enough to lend his time to you. He’ll be talking to you about the geology of the region and the bedrock formations here. Please take notes and ask questions.
Formation
Chara
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip Station #4: Geology and the Ruins (go past station #5) (Mrs. King)
Strides:
1. Take pictures (or have someone take a picture for you) of the following. For each record: description. Item Evidence of weathering – chemical or physical
Location and Description
Quartz vein – you know what this looks like! Basalt Dike – These might be very small here. Look for the black basalt slivers in the rock. Metamorphic Rock – Don’t forget the Cushing Formation. Igneous Rock – Think about the granite. Sedimentary Rock – Try up by the road. Where there might be compaction Animal Signs
2. Go back to pg 5, and fill out the right side of the chart.
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip Station #5: Density and Sand (Mr. Shaw)
Strides:
Part A Density 1. Use the balances to find the mass of specific rocks on the picnic table (record in grams). Also use the beaker with water to determine the volume. (Record in mL) Then find the Density (Density= mass/volume). Remember units! Rock Type: Mass: Volume: Density:
2. Next you need to find a similar ro impossible to mass and find the vol equipment here. Based on your pre comparisons what do you think the density is of this larger rock, please picture for comparisons. Remembe
Large Rock Type: Estimated Mass (kg): Estimated Volume (cm3): Estimated Density (kg/cm3): Convert mass to pounds: (kg / .4
You might want to take a picture of your rock also.
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip (Station #5 Continued) Part B Sand Answer the following questions: a. What is the sand made up of? What type of rocks/minerals can you identify? (Pebbles, fine grain, shells etc.)
b. Observe the color of the sand, why is the sand this specific color?
c. Why is there a beach at this specific area in the landscape? (Really think, don’t just write I don’t know HINT: look around at the surrounding rocks and what do you notice?)
d. What do you notice about the rocks on the beach? Are they weathered at all? If yes, describe.
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Physical Science Geology Field Trip Station #6: Mapping Strides: (Mrs. Peaslee) Using the Maine Geologic Formations map, the compass, and the aerial photo of the region, make a geologic map of the area you are standing on to show the geologic formations. Include: Shoreline of park Cushing Formation: where does it show up? Where is it not visible? Estimated scale (use strides to estimate) Compass orientation Park pathways Islands – find Cushing Island Scale:
Compass Rose:
Key:
Write a story from the point of view of the formation explaining its history. You must imagine that this particular formation has only been here for a little while in geologic time so the matter that makes this formation has been through a great deal of transformation. In your story refer to the following: on the rock or above Geologic time The rock cycle it Plate tectonics Creatures that The type of rock might have walked Pangaea 10
Physical Science Geology Field Trip and environmental change Weather, climate You can exercise your creative writing skills or write your story in report form. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ______ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ____________
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