Geology is the study of the earth, investigating ideas and theories using keen observations and evidence collected analysis with a scientific approach and evaluating the findings.
We study a rich variety of topics about the planet and explore from the smallest minerals to the most destructive volcanoes, to the hidden mysteries that cause movements in our crust. We know most about our surface and the rocks that make up this rigid lithosphere, so that is where we will begin.
We have put together the following ‘Getting Ahead’ work to help you prep for your course over the summer.
We look forward to you starting College with us soon!
Follow us on Twitter @hsdcgeology
Geology often involves unknown elements with some clues and piecing together a story like a good detective. For example, working backwards to the origin of a rock, how it was formed and the journey it has taken.
The planet in a pebble: Your story of a pebble. Find a pebble and write its story/journey.
Here are some questions to help guide your story:
Try to use some scientific ideas/processes and terms. If you are struggling, I recommend looking at the rock cycle and you could start the story with “a long, long, time ago…”.
There are lots of free online resources but this has been written for Geology students across the world and is an excellent read (you do not have to read it all).
Exploring Geoscience Across the Globe – free textbook
P.33-62 is about rocks and processes which should also help with the pebble activity.
Men of Rock is a great series based on how geology was studied and how it has progressed looking at the landscape of Great Britain, famous locations, evidence and geologists like Hutton and how they influence the subject today.
Part 1: Deep time
Part 2: Moving mountains
Part 3: The big freeze
We look at rocks under the microscope!
We can take a rock sample and slice a thin section analysing it under a polarising microscope to investigate its minerals and history of formation. For example, if it’s an igneous rock we can investigate how quickly it cooled, what type of magma formed it and suggest the type of plate boundary even if there was water present!
Take a look at this link. Explore and find out more. We use these in practical work in our bespoke geology lab at HSDC Havant.