Earth History teachers guide

Slide1: 

Exploring Earth History – The NJ Classroom 'Field' Trip into the Geologic Past Student Name(s): Date: TEACHERS GUIDE http://hurri.kean.edu/~dobosiewicz Teacher: Grade:

Site 1 Route 46W (3 mi east of Route 31 intersection) 40.84130N 74.95132W Elevation - 490': 

Site 1 Route 46W (3 mi east of Route 31 intersection) 40.84130N 74.95132W Elevation - 490' Close up What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)____Gray__________________ Reacts to Acid _Yes*__ Layers? ______Yes______________Is it all one mineral? _Yes__ Any unusual features?____dark inclusions / oolites_____________ *reacts when scratched or powdered Describe the layers Curved, a few feet long segments..stromatolites! Tilted vertically How did this rock form and when? Cambrian Period Shallow, tropical marine environment favorable for Stromatolites (cyanobacteria) to form What is this rock (See NJ Geology Map)? Sedimentary Allentown Dolomite Sketch the rock layer

Site 2 Route 46W (3 mi west of Route 31 intersection) left on Water St. 40.83842N 75.05760W Elevation - 400': 

Site 2 Route 46W (3 mi west of Route 31 intersection) left on Water St. 40.83842N 75.05760W Elevation - 400' Close up What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)____black/dark gray___________ Reacts to Acid __yes__ Layers? ___Yes__________________Is it all one mineral? __yes_ Any unusual features?_breaks easily, soft, Maybe some fossils__________________________ Describe the layers tilted formation, wavy lines How did this rock form and when? Ordovician Period Deep marine environment…the dark coloration is due to carbon From organisms that die and settle to the bottom What is this rock (See NJ Geology Map)? Sedimentary Jacksonburg Limestone Sketch the rock layer

Site 3 Route 46W (west of Route 31 intersection) outcrop on right 40.85058N 75.05746W Elevation - 300': 

Site 3 Route 46W (west of Route 31 intersection) outcrop on right 40.85058N 75.05746W Elevation - 300' Close up What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)____light gray________________ Reacts to Acid _No___ Layers? ________yes_____________Is it all one mineral? _No__ Any unusual features?___curved crstalline lines of dolomite The rest of the formation is made of clay size particles_________ Describe the layers 'slatey' layers but dark colorations are vertical Sediments deposited horizontally then tilted vertically How did this rock form and when? Ordovician Period (but younger than Jacksonburg Limestone) deep marine environment What is this rock (See NJ Geology Map)? Sedimentary Martinsburg Shale Sketch the rock layer

Site 4 Delaware Water Gap Stop at Rest Area off Route 80 40.97198N 75.12283W Elevation - 325': 

Site 4 Delaware Water Gap Stop at Rest Area off Route 80 40.97198N 75.12283W Elevation - 325' Close ups What are the characteristics of these 2 rocks? Color(s)___gray/red/black/white______ Reacts to Acid _No_____ Layers? ____Yes________________Is it all one mineral? _No____ Any unusual features?___cross beds, coarse sediments, Bloomsburg Redbeds are found here, eroded from farther NW Describe the layer: layers broken into 1-2 foot size slabs___ Alternating fine and coarse sediments How did this rock form and when? Silurian Period Bar deposits from braided streams and Alluvial fans near an ocean What are these 2 rocks (See NJ Geology Map)? Sedimentary Shawangunk Formation (sandstone/conglomerate) andamp; Bloomburg Redbeds (siltstone) Sketch the rock layer Cross bedding

Site 5 - East Stroudsburg, PA (exit for 191) 41.02897N 75.20775W Elevation - 550': 

Site 5 - East Stroudsburg, PA (exit for 191) 41.02897N 75.20775W Elevation - 550' Close ups What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)___gray/brown/rusty_________ Reacts to Acid _No*_____ Layers? ______Yes________________Is it all one mineral? _No__ Any unusual features?___FOSSIL!!!_(*fossils will react to acid but the rock formation around will not) Fossils include: Horn coral, brachipods, crinoids, andamp; bivalves Describe the layers: vertical and tilted layering How did this rock form and when? Devonian Period Coral Reef Environment that was covered by silt and clay! What is this rock (Not on NJ Geology Map)? Shale/Siltstone Sketch the rock layer

Site 6 Route 15N mile 10-11, Park & Ride Sparta, Lake Mohawk Bus.Dist. 41.01737N 74.61874W Elevation - 1000': 

Site 6 Route 15N mile 10-11, Park andamp; Ride Sparta, Lake Mohawk Bus.Dist. 41.01737N 74.61874W Elevation - 1000' Close ups What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)____mixed dark andamp; light_________ Reacts to Acid _No____ Layers? ____No________________Is it all one mineral? _No___ Any unusual features?_very hard, contain many distinct Minerals (quartz, feldspars, micas) Describe the layers: Mountain formation, the minerals are Layered or create color bands How did this rock form and when? PreCambrian Era 750mya to 1bya (Grenville Orogeny-Appalachian Mts) Igneous Inclusion that was metamophosed by plate colliding andamp; mountain building What is this rock (See NJ Geology Map)?Metamorphic/Igneous Looks a lot like Granite but really is a Gneiss Sketch the rock layer

Site 7 Route 80 - Watchung Mountains: 

Site 7 Route 80 - Watchung Mountains What are the characteristics of this rock? Color(s)____dark/rusty_________________ Reacts to Acid _No_____ Layers? _____No___________________Is it all one mineral? _No____ Any unusual features?__columnar fractures (vertical)_______________________________ Describe the layers: lava flow, cooling produced fractures b/c Outside cools faster How did this rock form and when? Triassic Period What is this rock (See NJ Geology Map)? Igneous Watchung Mountain Basalt Sketch the rock layer Close up