5th Grade -Materials/Processes That Shape the Planet#5

Materials and Processes That Shape the Planet-5th Grade

VSC Content Indicators and Objectives

Cite and describe the processes that cause rapid or slow changes in Earth's surface. ·     Identify and describe events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and flooding which change surface features rapidly. ·     Recognize that the natural force of gravity causes changes in the Earth's surface features as it pulls things towards Earth, as in mud and rock slides, avalanches, etc. ·      Cite examples that demonstrate how the natural agents of wind, water, and ice produce slow changes on the Earth's surface such as carving out deep canyons and building up sand dunes. Explain how rock is formed from combinations of different minerals and that smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of bedrock (solid rock underlying soil components) and larger rocks; soil is made partly from weathered rock, partly from plant remains-and also contains many living organisms.    Observe and classify a collection of minerals based on their physical properties. ·      Color Luster Hardness Streak Identify and compare the properties of rocks that are composed of a single mineral with those of other rocks made of several minerals using their physical properties. Describe ways that the following processes contribute to changes always occurring to the Earth's surface. Weathering Erosion Depositition

Vocabulary Words to Look Up and Put in your Journal

Erosion

Minerals

Igneous

Sedimentary

Metamorphic

Tornadoes Hurricanes

Volcanic Eruptions, Earthquakes

Flooding

Force

Gravity 

Rock slides

Minerals

Physical Properties

Weathering

Luster

Hardness

Streak

1.   Reshaping earth rapidly (floods, volcanoes, etc.)

2.   Slow changes of the Earth’s surface (erosion and weathering)

3.   Rocks and minerals

4.   Comparing rocks composed of single minerals with rocks composed of more than one mineral

         5. The Rock Cycle




What is a tornado?
A tornado is a violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of up to 300 mph. They can destroy large buildings, uproot trees and hurl vehicles hundreds of yards. They can also drive straw into trees. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide to 50 miles long. In an average year, 1000 tornadoes are reported nationwide. 

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Assignment=Watch this video and take 15-20 notes from it  in your journal

How do tornadoes form?
Most tornadoes form from thunderstorms. You need warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool, dry air from Canada. When these two air masses meet, they create instability in the atmosphere. A change in wind direction and an increase in wind speed with increasing height creates an invisible, horizontal spinning effect in the lower atmosphere. Rising air within the updraft tilts the rotating air from horizontal to vertical. An area of rotation, 2-6 miles wide, now extends through much of the storm. Most strong and violent tornadoes form within this area of strong rotation.

How do tornadoes stop? It is not fully understood about how exactly tornadoes form, grow and die. Tornado researchers are still trying to solve the tornado puzzle, but for every piece that seems to fit they often uncover new pieces that need to be studied.   Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the 2 paragraphs of reading above. What is a supercell thunderstorm? A supercell thunderstorm is a long-lived thunderstorm whose updrafts and downdrafts are in near balance. These storms have the greatest tendency to produce tornadoes that stay on the ground for long periods of time. Supercell thunderstorms can produce violent tornadoes with winds exceeding 200 mph. What is a mesocyclone? A mesocyclone is a rotating vortex of air within a supercell thunderstorm. Mesocyclones do not always produce tornadoes.   What is a wall cloud? A wall cloud is an abrupt lowering of a rain-free cumulonimbus base into a low-hanging accessory cloud. A wall cloud is usually situated in the southwest portion of the storm. A rotating wall cloud usually develops before tornadoes or funnel clouds. What is a waterspout? A waterspout is just a weak tornado that forms over water. They are most common along the Gulf Coast. Waterspouts can sometimes move inland, becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries. What is hail? Hail is created when small water droplets are caught in the updraft of a thunderstorm. These water droplets are lifted higher and higher into the sky until they freeze into ice. Once they become heavy, they will start to fall. If the smaller hailstones get caught in the updraft again, they will get more water on them and get lifted higher in the sky and get bigger. Once they get lifted again, they freeze and fall. This happens over and over again until the hailstone is too heavy and then falls to the ground. What is the largest hailstone recorded in the United States? According to the National Weather Service, the largest hailstone is 8 inches in diameter and weights approximately 2 pounds. It fell in Vivian, South Dakota on July 23, 2010. VOCABULARY Assignment=Please  copy this activity in your journal and Complete each sentence using the words in the word list. earthquakes tornadoes hardness luster weathering minerals erosion _______________ 1.   ____ occur when warm air and cold air collide. _______________ 2.   The Tectonic plates move slowly causing ____ and other changes. _______________ 3.   ____ BREAKS DOWN THE EARTH. _______________ 4.   When soil and rocks are moved from one place to another, it is called ____. _______________ 5.   The process of ____ breaks down rock at or near the earth's surface into smaller and smaller pieces. _______________ 6.   The minerals with the greatest ____ is diamond. _______________ 7.   ____ is what makes canyons. _______________ 8.   The wind and water caused much ____ of the land. _______________ 9.   Her diamond ring had a shimmering ____. _______________ 10.   The residents received a dire warning from the meteorologist about the possibility of multiple ____. _______________ 11.   Big ____ destroy everything in their path. _______________ 12.   A rock's ____ and structure are changed as it becomes a metamorphic rock. _______________ 13.   The house was severely damaged by the ____. _______________ 14.   ____ formed the Grand Canyon. What is a gustnado? A gustnado is a short-lived, relatively weak whirlwind that forms along a gust front. A gust front is the surge of very gusty winds at the leading edge of a thunderstorm's outflow of air. Gustnadoes are not tornadoes. They do not connect with any cloud-base rotation. But because gustnadoes often have a spinning dust cloud at ground level, they are sometimes wrongly reported as tornadoes. Gustnadoes can do minor damage.  What is a landspout? A landspout is a very weak tornado that is not associated with a wall cloud or a mesocyclone. It is the land equivalent of a waterspout.  When are tornadoes most likely to occur? Tornadoes can happen at any time of the year and at any time of the day. In the southern states, peak tornado season is from March through May. Peak times for tornadoes in the northern states are during the summer. A few southern states have a second peak time for tornado outbreaks in the fall. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.  Where are tornadoes most likely to occur?  The geography of the central part of the United States, known as the Great Plains, is suited to bring all of the ingredients together to forms tornadoes. More than 500 tornadoes typically occur in this area every year and is why it is commonly known as "Tornado Alley".   Vocabulary Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above. earthquakes hurricanes erosion luster weathering hardness streak _______________ 16.   He used the ____ test to help identify the mineral. _______________ 17.   Forecasters try to foretell how many ____ we will have each year. _______________ 18.   The color of a mineral in powdered form is the ____. _______________ 19.   You could see the ____ on the rocks found near the bay. _______________ 20.   ____ and erosion are part of the rock cycle. _______________ 21.   Heavy rainfall can make ____ happen. _______________ 22.   After washing his red Corvette, Antonio admired its ____ in the sunshine. _______________ 23.   Soil is formed through the ____ of rocks and decay of plants and animals. _______________ 24.   The ocean causes ____ at the cliff edge. _______________ 25.   The movement of Earth's plates can cause ____, volcanoes, and other activities. _______________ 26.   The three most common agents of ____ are water, wind, and glaciers. _______________ 27.   Mohs created the ____ scale to help identify minerals. _______________ 28.   ____ can devastate land and people by wrecking buildings and flooding cities. _______________ 29.   Scientists use seismographs to study ____. _______________ 30.   The mineral had a ____ that was yellow. Complete each sentence using the words in the word list. _______________ 30.   The mineral had a ____ that was yellow. Earthquakes What is an earthquake? Earthquakes are the shaking, rolling or sudden shock of the earth’s surface. They are the Earth's natural means of releasing stress. More than a million earthquakes rattle the world each year. The West Coast is most at risk of having an earthquake, but earthquakes can happen in the Midwest and along the East Coast. Earthquakes can be felt over large areas although they usually last less than one minute. Earthquakes cannot be predicted - although scientists are working on it!  Click Here to learn more about earthquakes from USGS. Because people are frequently left relying on themselves for awhile after an earthquake, it is a good idea to have an earthquake survival kit ready. Everyone who lives in an area where large earthquakes can happen should have one of these kits in their home.  What causes an earthquake? There are about 20 plates along the surface of the earth that move continuously and slowly past each other. When the plates squeeze or stretch, huge rocks form at their edges and the rocks shift with great force, causing an earthquake. Think of it this way: Imagine holding a pencil horizontally. If you were to apply a force to both ends of the pencil by pushing down on them, you would see the pencil bend. After enough force was applied, the pencil would break in the middle, releasing the stress you have put on it. The Earth's crust acts in the same way. As the plates move they put forces on themselves and each other. When the force is large enough, the crust is forced to break. When the break occurs, the stress is released as energy which moves through the Earth in the form of waves, which we feel and call an earthquake. (Graphic Credit: Wheeling Jesuit University/NASA Classroom of the Future) Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above about the causes of an earthquake.

Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens!

What is a fault?
A fault is an area of stress in the earth where broken rocks slide past each other, causing a crack in the Earth's surface. There are the major types of faults: dip-slip normal, dip-slip reverse, strike-slip, and oblique-slip.

What are plate tectonics?
The theory of plate tectonics is a interesting story of continents drifting from place to place breaking apart, colliding, and grinding against each other. The plate tectonic theory is supported by a wide range of evidence that considers the earth's crust and upper mantle to be composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. (See plate tectonic graphic above.) The plates are all moving in different directions and at different speeds. Sometimes the plates crash together, pull apart or sideswipe each other. When this happens, it commonly results in earthquakes. 

Continental Drift: To see this animation again, just refresh this page! This animation shows you what our planet looked like millions of years ago and what it looks like now! (Graphic Credit: Geology Department at University of California, Berkeley)

Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the 2 paragraphs of reading above.

Click Here to learn more about plate tectonics and the drifting of our continents.

What is a seismograph?
A seismograph is an instrument used for recording the intensity and duration of an earthquake. 


Click Here to calculate the strength of earthquakes!





VOCABULARY


Assignment=Please  copy this activity in your journal and Complete each sentence using the words in the word list.


Complete each sentence using the words in the word list.

earthquakes hurricanes minerals streak weathering tornadoes erosion luster

_______________	31.	____ a process that causes rocks to gradually break or crumble into smaller pieces.
_______________	32.	____ occur on fault lines.
_______________	33.	The Painted Desert has many colors caused by a wide variety of ____.
_______________	34.	Some rocks leave a black ____.
_______________	35.	Many ____ form in Kansas and Oklahoma.
_______________	36.	Polishing rocks brings out their ____.
_______________	37.	The stone had a bright ____.
_______________	38.	Farmers changed the way they planted wheat to prevent ____ of their land.
_______________	39.	We cracked open the geode and found the beautiful ____ inside.

What is a tsunami? 
A tsunami is a large ocean wave usually caused by an underwater earthquake or a volcanic explosion. Tsunamis are NOT tidal waves. Tidal waves are caused by the forces of the moon, sun, and planets upon the tides, as well as the wind as it moves over the water. With typical waves, water flows in circles, but with a tsunami, water flows straight. This is why tsunamis cause so much damage! 

Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above.

Main Idea

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Click Here to see an animation of an earthquake and the resulting tsunami. It's great for kids, because they get to see how it actually happens! 


Assignment- Explain exactly what happens in your journal, and why it happens?

Assignment- Please click this website and watch some Students' experiment about the power and destructiveness of a Tsunami

Assignment- Explain exactly what happens in your journal, and why it happens?

 Know the Lingo 
EPICENTER - The point on the earth's surface directly above the source of the earthquake.

SEISMIC WAVES - The energy created by the quake travels in waves from the epicenter, where they are the strongest. The waves shake buildings, structures and the earth vertically, causing them to move horizontally!

RICHTER SCALE - A measurement of an earthquake's intensity. Each one-point increase on the scale indicates ten times the amount of shaking and 33 times the amount of energy. The energy released by a large earthquake may be equal to 10,000 times the energy of the first atomic bomb.

Click Here to see if there has been any recent earthquake activity across the U.S.

 Richter Scale 

4	Minor Earthquake
5	Moderate Earthquake
6	Strong Earthquake
7	Major Earthquake
8	Great Earthquake

Click Here to learn about cool earthquake facts!

Assignment=Watch this video and take 15-20 notes from it  in your journal

Wildfires
 
What is a wildfire?
A wildfire also known as a wildland fire, forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, peat fire, bushfire (in Australia), or hill fire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. Wildfires often begin unnoticed, but they spread quickly igniting brush, trees and homes. 


What causes a wildfire?
Common causes of wildfires include lightning, human carelessness, arson, volcano eruption, and pyroclastic cloud from active volcano. Heat waves, droughts, and cyclical climate changes such as El Niño can also have a dramatic effect on the risk of wildfires. Although, more than four out of every five wildfires are caused by people.

Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above.

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Where can wildfires occur?
Wildfires can occur anywhere, but are common in the forested areas of the United States and Canada. They are also susceptible in many places around the world, including much of the vegetated areas of Australia as well as in the Western Cape of South Africa. The climates are sufficiently moist to allow the growth of trees, but feature extended dry, hot periods. Fires are particularly prevalent in the summer and fall, and during droughts when fallen branches, leaves, and other material can dry out and become highly flammable. Wildfires are also common in grasslands and scrublands. 
   




If you live in an area where wildfires can happen, it really helps to have emergency supplies on hand. These can help to keep you, your family, and your pet's safe well after a fire has moved through the area. 

What are the Santa Ana winds?
The Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds that aggravate the fire danger in forests and bush lands. These winds characteristically appear in Southern California and Northern Baja California weather during autumn and early winter. In southern California, under the influence of Santa Ana winds, wildfires can move at tremendous speeds, up to 40 miles in a single day, consuming up to 1,000 acres per hour. Dense clouds of burning embers push ahead of the flames crossing firebreaks without a problem.
 

Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above.

What is a fire tornado?
A fire tornado or fire whirl is just a tornado made of fire. It happens when certain conditions (depending on air temperature and currents), acquires a vertical vorticity and forms a whirl, or a tornado-like effect. Fire tornadoes may be whirlwinds separated from the flames, either within the burn area or outside it. A fire tornado can make fires more dangerous. 

Assignment=  Please explain in your journal what a wildfire is and how it can change how the land looks?

How do firefighters put out the wildfires? 
Firefighters use a tool known as a pulaski. Its a combination of an ax and hoe used to dig a fireline. A fireline is a strip of land from which all brush and debris have been cleared to rob a wildfire of its fuel. Firefighters also use hotshots and smoke jumpers to clear a large path in a big circle around the fire so the blaze is contained in a ring of dirt. When the fire reaches this area, it runs out of fuel and starves to death. If the fire is too large, however, planes and helicopters fly overhead, dropping water and special chemicals that smother the flames. This pink, fire-retardant chemical is called sky jell-o. 





Assignment=  In your journal, explain in your own words how firefighters put out wildfires.
 Know the Lingo 

SURFACE FIRES - The most common type of wildfires, surface fires move slowly and burn along the forest floor, killing and damaging vegetation.

GROUND FIRES - These are usually started by lightning, ground fires burn on or below the forest floor through the root system.

CROWN FIRES - These fires spread by wind moving quickly along the tops of trees.

SANTA ANA WINDS - "Santa Ana" is the name given to the gusty northeast or east wind that occurs in Southern California during the fall and winter months. Santa Ana winds are often hot and very dry, greatly aggravating the fire danger in forests and bush lands.

CONFLAGRATION - A large and destructive fire, typically aggravated by strong winds that carry firebrands over natural or artificial barriers.

Click Here to learn about more wildfire facts!

Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above.

VOCABULARY

Assignment=Please  copy this activity in your journal and Complete each sentence using the words in the word list.

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earthquakes hurricanes minerals erosion luster weathering tornadoes hardness streak

_______________	1.	The ocean causes ____ at the cliff edge.
_______________	2.	Farmers changed the way they planted wheat to prevent ____ of their land.
_______________	3.	____ formed the Grand Canyon.
_______________	4.	Forecasters try to foretell how many ____ we will have each year.
_______________	5.	____ are found in alot of things we use everyday like salt for our food.
_______________	6.	The color of a mineral in powdered form is the ____.
_______________	7.	Heavy rainfall can make ____ happen.
_______________	8.	The wind and water caused much ____ of the land.
_______________	9.	The minerals with the greatest ____ is diamond.
_______________	10.	He used the ____ test to help identify the mineral.
_______________	11.	The Tectonic plates move slowly causing ____ and other changes.
_______________	12.	Her diamond ring had a shimmering ____.
_______________	13.	Polishing rocks brings out their ____.
_______________	14.	Nine ____ were predicted for the coming season.
_______________	15.	The residents received a dire warning from the meteorologist about the possibility of multiple ____.

Rain & Floods How does rain form? Water droplets form from warm air. As the warm air rises in the sky it cools. Water vapor (invisible water in the air) always exists in our air. Warm air holds quite a bit of water. For example, in the summer it is usually very humid. When enough of these droplets collect together, we see them as clouds. If the clouds are big enough and have enough water droplets, the droplets bang together and form even bigger drops. When the drops get heavy, they fall because of gravity, and you see and feel rain. What causes rain? When clouds develop or rain occurs, something is making the air rise. Several things can make this happen. Mountains, low-pressure areas, cold fronts, and even the jet stream.  How big are raindrops? Raindrops are much smaller than we think! They are actually smaller than a centimeter. Raindrops range from 1/100 inch (.0254 centimeter) to 1/4 inch (.635 centimeter) in diameter. How fast do raindrops fall?  Not including wind-driven rain, raindrops fall between 7 and 18 miles per hour (3 and 8 meters per second) in still air. The range in speed depends on the the size of the raindrop. Air friction breaks up raindrops when they exceed 18 miles per hour.  What is a flood? A flood results from days of heavy rain and/or melting snows, when rivers rise and go over their banks.  What is a flash flood? A flash flood is sudden flooding that occurs when floodwaters rise rapidly with no warning within several hours of an intense rain. They often occur after intense rainfall from slow moving thunderstorms. In narrow canyons and valleys, floodwaters flow faster than on flatter ground and can be quite destructive. Do flash floods hurt people? Flash floods are the #1 weather-related killer in the U.S. Nearly 80% of flash flood deaths are auto related. Know beforehand if your area is a flood risk. You can help protect yourself against the effects of heavy rain, which can cause flooding by having a preparedness kit. A preparedness kit helps you to stay safe until the floodwaters drain away, or until you're rescued.  How much water is needed for your car to float away? A mere 2 feet of water can float a large vehicle or even a bus. This is why you should never drive through flooded roads. Just 6 inches of rapidly moving flood water can knock a person down. What is radar? Radar is an electronic instrument, which determines the direction and distance of objects that reflect radio energy back to the radar site. It stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. This is what meteorologists use to see rain or snow. What is Doppler Radar?  Doppler Radar detects precipitation intensity, wind direction and speed, and provides estimates of hail size and rainfall amounts. Doppler Radar gives forecasters the capability of providing early detection of severe thunderstorms that may bring strong damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain, and possibly tornadoes. Combined with satellites, radar gives forecasters the ultimate tools to provide accurate forecasts and advanced severe weather warnings.  How does Doppler Radar work?  Doppler Radar gets its name from the Doppler Effect. Have you ever listened to a train whistle as it was coming toward you? You probably noticed that the pitch of the whistle changed as the train passed you and moved away. This change in the frequency of sound is called the Doppler Effect. Doppler Radar measures the changes in the frequency of the signal it receives to determine the wind.   . EROSION from water/floods Erosion By Water Processes  We will examine erosion, and its effect on the landscape. Erosion takes place when materials in the landscape are moved from one location to another. This might happen as dust is blown off the side of a cliff face by wind, or as silt is carried downstream by a river.    Erosion By Overland Flow Between valley’s at the top of interfluves water runs across the landscape in flat sheets known as overland flow. As rain drops begin falling in a rain storm they are first absorbed by the landscape. As the ground becomes saturated, the drops begin moving across the landscape above the surface. As this happens, small amounts of dust and dirt are carried with the water. This is known as splash erosion. As more and more water falls, the sheet of moving water becomes larger and larger. Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above. Main Idea                                  _________________________________________________                                  _________________________________________________ Detail#1__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________  Detail#2__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Detail#3__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ EROSION BY WATER Assignment=Watch this video and take 15-20 notes from it  in your journal http://media.photobucket.com/video/water%20erosion/forbesscienceplus/Erosionbywater.mp4?o=1 Assignment=  Please explain in your journal what  is erosion and how it can change  how the land looks? Know the Lingo FLOOD WATCH - means that an overflow of water from a river is possible for your area.  FLASH FLOOD WATCH - means that flash flooding is possible in or close to the watch area. Flash Flood Watches can be put into effect for as long as 12 hours, while heavy rains move into and across the area.  FLOOD WARNING - means flooding conditions are actually occurring in the warning area. FLASH FLOOD WARNING - means that flash flooding is actually occurring in the warning area. A warning can also be issued as a result of torrential rains, a dam failure or snow thaw. Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area. Flood Safety Tips BEFORE A FLOOD: Have a disaster plan and prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food, can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water.  DURING A FLOOD: Move to a safe area quickly. Move to higher ground, like the highest floor of your home. Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding like low spots and canyons. Avoid already flooded areas. If a flowing stream of water is above your ankles stop, turn around and go the other way. Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of the water is not obvious and the road may be washed away. If your car stalls, leave it and seek higher ground. Rapidly rising water may engulf the car, pick it up and sweep it away. Kids should never play around high water, storm drains or viaducts. Be cautious at night, because its harder to see flood dangers. If told to evacuate, do so immediately.  AFTER THE FLOOD: Always, boil drinking water. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before used.  Rain Activities Hurricanes What is a hurricane? A hurricane is a huge storm! It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane usually lasts for over a week, moving 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye." The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. It has only light winds and fair weather. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.  Assignment=  Please explain in your journal what a hurricane is and how they can change  how the land looks? Click Here to get your very own Hurricane Tracking Chart. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes only form over really warm ocean water of 80°F or warmer. The atmosphere (the air) must cool off very quickly the higher you go. Also, the wind must be blowing in the same direction and at the same speed to force air upward from the ocean surface. Winds flow outward above the storm allowing the air below to rise. Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. The Coriolis Force is needed to create the spin in the hurricane and it becomes too weak near the equator, so hurricanes can never form there.  (Graphic Credit: UCAR)  Assignment=Explain in your journal  @ what a hurricane needs to survive Click Here to learn more about hurricanes from UCAR. What is storm surge? Storm surges are frequently the most devastating element of a hurricane. As a hurricane’s winds spiral around and around the storm, they push water into a mound at the storm’s center. This mound of water becomes dangerous when the storm reaches land because it causes flooding along the coast. The water piles up, unable to escape anywhere but on land as the storm carries it landward. A hurricane will cause more storm surge in areas where the ocean floor slopes gradually. This causes major flooding. As you watch the storm-surge animations, notice the effect that the physical geography of each coastline has on storm surge. Also, note the waves on top of the ocean's surface. Wind, waves, and sea-level rise all contribute to storm-surge damage. Shallow-Water Coastline 1 Deep-Water Coastline 2 Assignment=Explain in your journal which coastline would receive  the most damage from a storm surge, #1 or #2.  Be specific and have  at least 2 reasons why? With technology the way it is, there are computer models that allow forecasters to predict the amount of storm surge that will affect a coastal area. These are called Slosh Models and take into account a storm’s strength, its path, how the ocean shallows, and the shape of the land. Then it calculates how much storm surge a hurricane will probably cause. Assignment=  In your journal, explain in your own words what is a storm surge? When does hurricane season start? The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but most hurricanes occur during the fall months. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30. (Below is a graphic that shows you when hurricanes are most active across parts of the world.) Who names hurricanes? From 1950 to 1952, tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean were identified by the phonetic alphabet (Able-Baker-Charlie-etc.), but in 1953 the US Weather Bureau switched to women's names. The rest of the world eventually caught on, and naming rights now go by the World Meteorological Organization, which uses different sets of names depending on the part of the world the storm is in. Around the U.S., only women's names were used until 1979, when it was decided that they should alternate a list that included men's names too. There's 6 different name lists that alternate each year. If a hurricane does significant damage, its name is retired and replaced with another. Atlantic Hurricane Names Eastern Pacific Hurricane Names What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? Nothing except geography. Tropical storms occur in several of the world's oceans, and except for their names, they are essentially the same type of storm. In the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, they are called hurricanes. In the Western Pacific Ocean, they are called typhoons. In the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and Australia, these types of storms are called cyclones. (This is a satellite animation of Hurricane Georges, which struck the Mississippi Gulf coast in 1998.) Who are the "Hurricane Hunters"?  The brave "hurricane hunters" work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Each mission lasts about ten hours, with the crews passing four to six times through the storm. The planes carry radar, sophisticated computers, and weather instruments that determine characteristics such as temperature, air pressure, wind speed, and wind direction inside the hurricane. The crews also release instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, and wind at different levels as the devices drop through the hurricane toward the ocean. By mission's end, NOAA can warn everyone in the hurricane's path. (Below is a satellite image of Hurricane Mitch back in October 1998. The Hurricane Hunters flew into the eye of Mitch just as this Category 5 hurricane with winds of 155 mph smacked right into Central America.) Assignment=  In your journal, explain in your own words  Who are the "Hurricane Hunters"? What is coastal beach erosion? Coastal beach erosion is the wearing away of land, the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage. Waves are generated by storms, wind, or hurricanes and can cause coastal erosion. This may take the form of long-term losses of sediment and rocks, or merely the temporary redistribution of coastal sediments. Assignment=  In your journal, explain in your own words what is erosion? ROCKS and Minerals Types of Rocks Rocks are not all the same! The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous and the differences among them have to do with how they are formed. Sedimentary Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of material. Together, all these particles are called sediment. Gradually, the sediment accumulates in layers and over a long period of time hardens into rock. Generally, sedimentary rock is fairly soft and may break apart or crumble easily. You can often see sand, pebbles, or stones in the rock, and it is usually the only type that contains fossils. Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above. Main Idea                                  _________________________________________________                                  _________________________________________________ Detail#1__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________  Detail#2__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Detail#3__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Examples of this rock type include conglomerate and limestone. Metamorphic Metamorphic rocks are formed under the surface of the earth from the metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing). The rocks that result from these processes often have ribbonlike layers and may have shiny crystals, formed by minerals growing slowly over time, on their surface. Examples of this rock type include gneiss and marble. Igneous Igneous rocks are formed when magma (molten rock deep within the earth) cools and hardens. Sometimes the magma cools inside the earth, and other times it erupts onto the surface from volcanoes (in this case, it is called lava). When lava cools very quickly, no crystals form and the rock looks shiny and glasslike. Sometimes gas bubbles are trapped in the rock during the cooling process, leaving tiny holes and spaces in the rock. Examples of this rock type include basalt and obsidian. Here's a chart of some of the key characteristics that can help you identify the rocks within these three main classes. Crystals Small, flat surfaces that are shiny or sparkly, like tiny mirrors. Fossils Imprints of leaves, shells, insects, or other items in the rock. Gas bubbles "Holes," like Swiss cheese, in the rock. Glassy surface A shiny and smooth surface, like colored glass. Ribbonlike layers Straight or wavy stripes of different colors in the rock. Sand or pebbles Individual stones, pebbles, or sand grains visible in the rock. How Rocks Change Introduction Does it seem to you that rocks never change? For example, if you find a chunk of granite today, can you expect that it will still be granite at the end of your lifetime? That may well be true — but only because our lifetimes are very short relative to the history of the earth. If we take a step back to look at geologic time (which focuses on changes taking place over millions of years), we find that rocks actually do change! All rocks, in fact, change slowly from one type to another, again and again. The changes form a cycle, called "the rock cycle." The way rocks change depends on various processes that are always taking place on and under the earth's surface. Now let's take a closer look at each of these processes. Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above. Main Idea                                  _________________________________________________                                  _________________________________________________ Detail#1__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________  Detail#2__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Detail#3__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Heat & Pressure What happens to cookie dough when you put it in the oven? The heat of the oven produces changes in the ingredients that make them interact and combine. Without melting the dough, the heat changes it into a whole new product — a cookie. A similar process happens to rocks beneath the earth's surface. Due to movements in the crust, rocks are frequently pulled under the surface of the earth, where temperatures increase dramatically the farther they descend. Between 100 and 200 kilometers (62 and 124 miles) below the earth's surface, temperatures are hot enough to melt most rocks. However, before the melting point is reached, a rock can undergo fundamental changes while in a solid state — morphing from one type to another without melting. An additional factor that can transform rocks is the pressure caused by tons of other rocks pressing down on it from above; heat and pressure usually work together to alter the rocks under the earth's surface. This kind of change, which results from both rising temperature and pressure, is called metamorphism, and the resulting rock is a metamorphic rock. Assignment=Please copy this graphic organizer  in your journal and complete it from the reading above. Main Idea                                  _________________________________________________                                  _________________________________________________ Detail#1__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________  Detail#2__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Detail#3__________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ EXTRA INFORMATION. . . .  Hurricanes...Past and Present Tropical Tracks: Click to see the tracks of this year's storms. Past Hurricane Info: Click to find all the data and information about a specific hurricane by just knowing the year.  Know the Lingo TROPICAL STORM WATCH - Tropical Storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 -74 mph are possible in your area within the next 36 hours.TROPICAL STORM WARNING - Tropical Storm conditions are expected in your area within the next 24 hours. HURRICANE WATCH - Hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures sh ould be initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat and leaving a barrier island. HURRICANE WARNING - Hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm. COASTAL FLOOD WATCH - The possibility exists for the inundation of land areas along the coast within the next 12 to 36 hours. COASTAL FLOOD WARNING - Land areas along the coast are expected to become, or have become, inundated by sea water above the typical tide action. SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY - A small craft advisory is a type of warning issued by the National Weather Service, most frequently in coastal areas. It is issued when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally less than that which is considered gale force, usually 25-38 mph. Click Here to see if there are any active warnings in your area.  Hurricane Stages Tropical Wave A low pressure trough moving generally westward with the trade winds. Tropical Disturbance An organized area of thunderstorms that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds. Tropical Cyclone A generic term for any organized low pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones. Tropical Depression An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 mph or less. Tropical Storm A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph. Hurricane A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.  Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Category Winds (MPH) Pressure (Millibars)  Pressure(Inches) Storm Surge (Feet) Damage 1 74-95 <980 <28.94 4'-5' Minimal 2 96-110 979-965 28.91-28.50 6'-8' Moderate 3 111-130 964-945 28.47-27.91 9'-12' Extensive 4 131-155 944-920 27.88-27.17 13'-18' Extreme 5 >155 <920 <27.17 >18' Catastrophic To learn more about hurricanes, Click Here to watch a variety of videos teaching you the ins and outs of nature's fury. I would like to give a special thanks to Pinellas County Emergency management for putting these instructional videos together.  Hurricane Safety Tips BEFORE A HURRICANE: Have a disaster plan and a pet plan ready. Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency. Board up windows and bring in outdoor objects that could blow away. Make sure you know which county or parish you live in and know where all the evacuation routes are.  Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home and car. Include a first aid kit, canned food and a can opener, bottled water, battery-operated radio, flashlight, protective clothing and written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water. Have a NOAA weather radio handy with plenty of batteries, so you can listen to storm advisories. Have some cash handy as well, because following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be temporarily closed.Make sure your car is filled with gasoline. DURING A HURRICANE: Stay away from low-lying and flood prone areas.Always stay indoors during a hurricane, because strong winds will blow things around. Leave mobile homes and to go to a shelter. If your home isn’t on higher ground, go to a shelter. If emergency managers say to evacuate, then do so immediately.AFTER A HURRICANE: Stay indoors until it is safe to come out. Check for injured or trapped people, without putting yourself in danger. Watch out for flooding which can happen after a hurricane. Do not attempt to drive in flooding water. Stay away from standing water. It may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Don’t drink tap water until officials say its safe to do so. Evacuation Tips: Here is a list of tips on what you should do, if you chose to evacuate as a hurricane approaches. Hurricane Supply Checklist: Here is a list of what what you will need if you chose to stay at your home during a hurricane.  Hurricane Activities Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about hurricane safety. In this activity, Owlie teaches kids about hurricanes and quizzes them about what they learned. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on understanding hurricanes. Students will learn how wind speed increases the height and why higher waves occur in shallower water. This activity is for grades 6-8. Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on elementary reading comprehension. This lesson contains a broader vocabulary, more hurricane facts, and more thought-provoking writing prompts. It works well for grades 3-5. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Lesson Plan: Here is a great interactive lesson plan on allowing kids to create their very own hurricane. It lets you try to create ideal hurricane conditions by changing the winds, latitude, moisture, and sea temperature. It even keeps score! This is a great activity for 5-8th graders.  Lesson Plan: Here is a great interactive lesson plan that lets kids aim a hurricane. It lets you move the hurricane symbol, high pressure symbol and low pressure symbol to track your very own hurricane. Sometimes your hurricane will make landfall, other times it misses the U.S. all together. It lets kid understand how important the setup of weather impacts where hurricanes go. Pressure Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows how pressure is created in our atmosphere by sucking an egg in a bottle. This is a very cool experiment! Make A Barometer Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer. Evaporation Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows kids how evaporation takes place. Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day. Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan on learning about precipitation. In this activity, kids will use a weather map to answer questions about precipitation falling across the country. Note: This is a PDF file, so you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Lesson Plan: Here is a great lesson plan that teaches students about the weather by having them be a meteorologist for the week. Rain Experiment: Here is a great experiment on making rain. In this experiment, kids learn about condensation. Rain Experiment: Here is an experiment that lets kids see what's in the rain. It shows kids that there are particles in the air and when it rains they get to see them up close. Rain Gauge Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows a kids to make their very own rain gauge. Raindrop Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows you to see a raindrop. In this experiment, kids will preserve raindrops, so they can measure to see how big they really are.  Watercycle Experiment: Here is an experiment that teaches kids about our water cycle. This experiment shows what happens to the water in our creeks, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. The Doppler Effect Experiment: Here is an experiment that teaches kids what the Doppler Effect is. They can learn how the Doppler Effect works and why Doppler Radar is such as important tool in weather forecasting. Pressure Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows how pressure is created in our atmosphere by sucking an egg in a bottle. This is a very cool experiment! Make A Barometer Experiment: Here is an experiment that allows the kids to make a barometer. Evaporation Experiment: Here is an experiment that shows kids how evaporation takes place. Science Fair Project Ideas: Here is a complete list of science fair project ideas. Discover the science behind the weather that impacts us every day.