The Gem and Mineral Hall at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has more than 2,000 minerals, rocks, meteorites, and gems from across the globe. This week we are learning about rocks and gemstones and how they were created.
The younger kids class made their own volcanic explosions with citric acid, baking soda, red pigment, and water. We watched videos of real eruptions and discussed their causes and the rocks that they create.
Books we used for reference in class:
In our older class we learned more about plate tectonics and the San Andreas fault. We also watched news clips and footage of the destruction caused by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Flying a small airplane over the San Andreas fault - Video by Wolficorn "One of the largest earthquakes in United States history happened here in 1857. Fly a small airplane over the San Andreas fault and learn about one of the most infamous earthquake faults in the world. Follow along in my Grumman Tiger as we explore the Carrizo Plain and see from a unique perspective how this deadly earthquake fault has changed over thousands of years. The 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake measured 7.9 on the richter scale. California is long overdue for another Big One from this massive fault."
Examine how the theory of plate tectonics explains volcanic activity, earthquakes, and mountains - Article and Video by Britannica
Three minutes to the centre of the Earth - video by the BBC
Hot Rocks and Natural Beauties, Dr. Anthony Kampf, the museum’s Curator Emeritus of Mineral Sciences.
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