edible geology

Edible Geology-directions

Limestone• First layer is limestone• Formed when land was under

water

Sandstone• Formed by sand deposited by a

river

• AG EN T ER O S IO N• Fossils are often found here

COAL• Formed when area was part of a

large swamp• Very important to fossil hunters• Where you find coal, you are

likely to find fossils nearby• Dark coal beds are easy to spot

COAL

Sandstone - 2

Siltstone• Made of grains that are smaller

than sand, but larger than clay

Final Formation• Which layer is the “oldest”?• Where are the fossils?• Will they ever be found?

• Rock layers can stretch, bend, and even break

Uplifting• Pressures inside the earth form

mountain ranges• Can twist rock layers

• Slide a knife under the center of your gelatin square and lift.

• Bend…and break

Overthrust• Rock layers (strata) can get

mixed up another way

• Gently push in from opposite sides of the square so the center rises up.

• Mixed up strata makes it hard to determine whereyoungest strata is

Faulting• Earth’s surface has big cracks

called faults• Sometimes land around a fault

line is raised above another

• Don’t waste yourjello…just look here:

Finally…Erosion• Rocks are constantly being worn

away by wind and rain, uncovering fossils

• Ahhhh!