Department of Earth Science |Northeastern Illinois University

INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE
ESCI 121
Section 05
Fall 2008

Homework #2: (Due Thursday, August 28, 2008.)  Find and print out a map of the world.  (A blank map is preferred, but any world map will do.)  Then, locate the following places and label them on the map:

Japan                                                  Hawaii
San Francisco, California                 Yellowstone National Park
India/Tibet border (northernmost)    New Zealand
Iceland                                                The Red Sea
Lake Tanganyika                               The Aleutian Islands
Chile                                                    Jakarta, Indonesia
The Azores Islands                            The Galapagos Islands

Homework #3: World Map/Geotectonics Research.  (Due Tuesday, September 2.)  In class on August 28, you chose a particular aspect of Earth's large-scale patterns.  The list is here.  (If you were not in class that day, you will need to choose one and let me know!)  For your assigned aspect, do the following:

1) Find and print a map of the world that illustrates this aspect.  (For example, if you are researching hotspot volcanoes, find a world map that shows the locations of all the hotspot volcanoes.)
2) On the back of the page, write a short description of your aspect.  (For example, write a few sentences about what a hotspot volcano is.)
3) Bring your map to class and be ready to work with it in a group setting.

Homework #4: Rock Your State!  (Due September 9, 2008.)  In class on September 2, you will chose one of the 50 states.  The list is here.  (If you are not in class that day, you will need to choose one and let me know!)

1) Find online a geologic map of that state and print it (in color if possible; if not, b&w will do.)  Also find the key, legend, or map explanation and print it too.  Sometimes this is on a separate page!
2) E-mail me a link to the page displaying the map.
3) On a separate sheet of paper, make a list of all the rock or sediment types that occur in that state.  You probably will need to look at the key, legend, or map explanation to do this; sometimes it will be on a separate page.  Don't write duplicate entries; for example, if "marble" appears twice in the state, only write it once on your list.   
4) On yet another sheet of paper, list all the geologic *ages* of rocks and sediments that occur in this state.  For example, "Jurassic", "Devonian", "Pleistocene", and so on.  You don't need to explain the terms; just list them.  But note: these words may be unfamiliar, so look carefully, and if you're not sure about a term, be sure to google it or otherwise research it so you know if it belongs on your list or not!
5) Put your name and section number on all pages. 

Homework #5: (Due September 11, 2008.)  The Key to Minerals!  Only half the class will do this assignment.  Find a mineral identification key that is easy to use and understand.  It could be from a website or in printed form.  In the case of a website, please e-mail me the link at least 24 hours before it is due.  In the case of a printed version, please make TWO photocopies of it and bring them to class with you.  Once you have found a key, use it to
determine what the important questions are that must be answered in order to use the key to identify a mineral.  (Hint: usually these are mineral properties such as "luster", "hardness", and so on.)

Homework #6: (Due September 16, 2008)  The Key to Rocks!  The other half of the class will do this assignment.  Find a rock identification key that is easy to use and understand.  It could be from a website or in printed form (as from a textbook).  In the case of a website, please e-mail me the link at least 24 hours before it is due.  In the case of a printed version, please make TWO photocopies of it and bring them to class with you.  Please note that you might find some sites/sources will give the key in three separate sections: one for each of the major types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic).

Homework #7: Get to Know a Volcano!  (Due October 7, 2008.)  Details appear at this link. 

Homework #8: Earthquake Maps in Living Color (Due October 23, 2008)  Details appear at this link. 

Homework #9: The Great Sumatra Earthquake of December 26, 2004.  This worksheet was distributed, worked on, and the deadline was announced in class during the week of November 3.  (Due November 6, 2008.)

Homework #10: How Much Water Flows Down the Stream? (Due November 20, 2008)  Details appear at this link. 

Presentation: (Due December 4, 2008.)  Create and present a way to describe the length of geologic time and the major events that have taken places throughout Earth history by using an analogy.  You may use a verbal analogy (for example, "If the entire length of Earth history is compared to a clock, the dinosaurs appeared at X minutes after the hour"), or a length description "If the entire length of Earth history is compared to the length of a football field, the first simple life forms appeared at the X yard line", or some other type of analogy.  The main point is to convey to others the overall length of geologic time, and the points in time at which these events occurred:

As an alternative, your group may instead choose to create a way to describe the size of the Earth and the various layers that compose it.  If you choose this option you must clear it with the instructor first.  Include the following in your analogy:

You may work alone, but creativity on something like this usually is sparked in a group.  Groups should have no more than three people.  Depending on how the groups work out, it is possible that we may need one more type of analogy.  If your group is not satisfied with the first two choices, please see me to possibly get a third option.

Your analogy will be evaluated on the basis of its accuracy, the degree to which it conveys the depth of geologic time (or the size of the Earth's layers), and the skill with which it is presented.  There is no minimum time for the presentation, but please limit it to no more than 7 minutes.  You are expected to present your analogy "live" in class using original materials.  You may use whatever presentation method you find appropriate.  However, you may not simply show a web site that gives its own analogy; your analogy must be original work.  

After the presentation, hand in a list of the items in the box, above, with their associated ages/thicknesses.  Include the names of everyone in the group who worked on the presentation.