EARTH SCIENCES: SEDIMENTARY ROCKS LABORATORY I

PROBLEM: How can you describe grains of sand?

HYPOTHESIS:

MATERIALS: Earth Science - Sand, Swift GH microscope or Hand Lens 

PROCEDURE:

1. BEACH SAND - SOUTH CAROLINA

Sand is weathered material, or sediment. It represents the stage between weathering of solid rock and the cementation and formation of a new sedimentary rock. Sand contains much information. The composition of sand tells where it came from. For example, sand from volcanoes is very different than sand from granite. The sorting, roundness, and grain size of sand all change as it is transported; the grains get small and rounder, and are more uniform in size.

A. This sand was collected near Charleston Beach, South Carolina. What type of weathering do you think created this sand?

B. Using the texture charts, what are the size, sorting and roundness of this sand?

C. Describe the different types of sand in this sample.

2. BEACH SAND, RODEO BEACH, CALIFORNIA

This sand is from the opposite side of the United States. It has a very different source area than the sand in Question 1.

A. Using the texture charts, what are the size, sorting and roundness of this sand?

B. Describe the different types of sand in this sample.

C. Compare this sand to the sample in question 1. How is it similar or different? What does this mean about the source area and history of two sand samples?

3. EEL RIVER, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Northern California has more rain then southern California. The Eel River transports sediment eroded from the mountainous area nearby.

1. Describe the different rocks you see.

2. How is this different than Rodeo Beach?

4. PALM SPRINGS, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DESERT

This area is a high desert located between mountain ranges in the Colorado Desert. This geography gives Palm Springs its famed warm, dry climate. Known for 354 days of sunshine and less than 6 inches of rain annually, summer temperatures reach well into the 100's.

Describe the texture of the sand?

What environment was this created in?

5. PONZA, ITALY

Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, this small volcanic island has remnants of volcanic explosions. You may also find small pieces of pottery that may be as old as Roman times.

Describe the sand?

How can you identify the volcanic component?

6. MASSAWA, ERITREA

Southern part of the Red Sea on the African side. While camels roam the desert, a rich marine life offshore is revealed by this sand.

Describe the sand?

How many organisms can you identify?