FLORIDA S ANCIENT OCEANS - UF/IFAS OCI 2... · ancient seas, Florida Phosphate ... What geological processes w對ere at work millions of years ago? ... Florida’s Ancient Oceans
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FLORIDA’S ANCIENT OCEANS USF Polytechnic Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute
USF Polytechnic Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute
PRESENTED BY:
Indira Sukhraj – Education CoordinatorKate Himel – Communications and Marketing OfficerGary Albarelli – Director of Information Programs
WHAT IS THE FIPR INSTITUTE? We are the Florida Industrial and Phosphate
Research Institute (FIPR Institute) Part of the University of South Florida
Polytechnic as of June 2010 Originally formed in 1978, by Florida Legislature
for dedicated, independent research investigations of all aspects of phosphate production
The FIPR Institute is NOT a mining company, private industry, a legislative lobbying entity, industry regulators, or a governing body of the industry
The mission of the FIPR Institute is to maintain a leadership role in identifying, conducting, funding, disseminating and assuring the scientific validity of research that assists the University of South Florida Polytechnic in achieving its education, training and research goals.
Have a dedicated K-12 Education Program (since 1998) that uses the Institute’s research, expertise and information in classroom lessons and activities- all adhering to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
WHY IS PHOSPHATE SO IMPORTANT? All living things use phosphorus as a building block to create compounds they need. Calcium phosphate is what makes up bones and teeth. Adenosine-tri-phosphate or ATP is what living organisms use to transfer energy needed to conduct their cell processes. Living organisms get most of their phosphate through the food chain and soils Phosphate is in thousands of consumer products. The primary use of phosphate is in the manufacture of fertilizer, to restore nutrients to soils.
PHOSPHATE IN FLORIDA
The central Florida region is known as “Bone Valley”, rich in phosphate deposits formed in ancient seas,
Florida Phosphate is a non-renewable mineral resource, used mostly in fertilizer and animal feed material production,
Florida pebble phosphate was first discovered in the late 1880’s, near Fort Meade,
Until recently Florida has been the world’s largest producer of phosphate rock and fertilizer
GEOLOGIC PROCESSES CREATE MINERALDEPOSITS
There is a phosphate deposit that runs from Florida all the way up to the Chesapeake Bay
Most of the phosphate that is worth mining comes from Florida
Phosphate mining in Florida supplies the demand for 75% of the United States’ phosphate needs and 25% of the world’s.
Most of the phosphate is taken out of the central counties of Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee, and Manatee.
GEOLOGIC PROCESSES CREATE MINERALDEPOSITS
Hawthorne Group sediments at or near the surface
Mineable means that the deposit is located relatively close to the surface and it is large enough to be worth digging up the environment for.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
There is a phosphate deposit that runs from Florida all the way up to the Chesapeake Bay. But most of the phosphate that is worth mining comes from Florida. In fact, the phosphate mining in Florida supplies the demand for 75% of the United states Phosphate and 25% of the world’s. Most of the phosphate is taken out of the central counties of Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee, and Manatee. Phosphorus is essential. All living things use phosphorus as a building block to create compounds we need. For example, calcium phosphate is what makes up bones and teeth. Adenosine-tri-phosphate or ATP is what living organisms use to transfer energy needed to conduct their cell processes. Living organisms get most of their phosphate through the food chain and soils but people mine it and use it in thousands of consumer products. The primary use of phosphate is in the manufacture of fertilizer, to restore nutrients to soils. Map of target counties- http://www.comtocentralfl.com/membership/index.html
STRATA OF CENTRAL FLORIDAPHOSPHATE DEPOSITS
Ground Surface
Overburden (sand and clay) up to 50 ft thick
Matrix (ore) 5-20 ft thick
Bed (Limestone or dense clay)
Central Florida’s phosphate deposit is about 50 feet below the ground surface under a mixture of sand and clay, called the overburden. The phosphate is found in the matrix. Below that is the limestone bed that makes up Florida’s platform
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Presentation Notes
When we talk about a mineral deposit of any kind being mineable, we mean that it is located relatively close to the surface and it is large enough to be worth digging up the environment for. If we look at Central Florida’s phosphate deposit we find that it is about 50 feet below the ground surface under a mixture of sand and clay, called the overburden. The phosphate is found in this gray area called the matrix and can be anywhere form 5-20ft thick. Below that is the limestone bed that makes up Florida’s platform. So how did phosphate get here in the first place, if the state was completely covered by water for billions of years? And while we are asking, how did Florida get here? Why is it shaped so long and slender? What geological processes were at work millions of years ago? Today we will discuss continental drift, upwelling and global cycles.
THE LOCATION OF FLORIDA
Florida got to its current location in the world as a result of continental drift.
Originally, Florida was located in what is now Africa when all the land was in one piece known as Pangea.
The super-continent broke apart into plates that started to move away from each other.
Marine geologists call this the Tethy’s strait.
CONTINENTAL DRIFT AND PANGEA
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Presentation Notes
Florida got to its current location in the world as a result of continental drift. Originally, Florida was located in what is now Africa when all the land was in one piece known as Pangea. This super-continent broke apart into plates that started to move away from each other. Notice that the ocean was flowing east/west 200 million years ago. Marine geologists call this the Tethy’s strait. This is important later when we talk about the deposit. Now, the ocean currents flow north/south.
THE FLORIDAN PLATFORMoThe land mass or platform located below sea level is actually much larger than the exposed land that makes up our state. oThe platform is 300 miles west of Today’s Tampa Bay and 3-4 miles off the coast of Miami. o A cliff forms on the edge as sea level drops to more than 10,000 ft.
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Presentation Notes
The land mass or platform located below sea level is actually much larger than the exposed land that makes up our state. The platform is 300 miles west of Today’s Tampa Bay and 3-4 miles off the coast of Miami. A cliff forms on the edge as sea level drops to more than 10,000 ft. The large, flat base of limestone was formed by death of ancient marine life such as Foraminifera (one-celled, build calcite shells) Bryozoa (colony of tiny marine animals) Mullusks (land and sea invertebrate animals) Corals (bottom dwelling, skeleton of calcite)
The Appalachians begin to erode into Florida between 65 and 24 million years ago and global freeze exposes land bridges
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Presentation Notes
The Appalachians begin to erode into Florida between 65 and 24 million years ago and global freeze exposes land bridges and animals are able to migrate into Florida.
5 million years ago the ice melted and Florida was again covered by water but only for a short time of 3.2 million years
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Presentation Notes
5 million years ago the ice melts and Florida is again covered by water but only for a short time of 3.2 million years
UNDERSTANDING THE GEOLOGICALTIMESCALE The Earth’s history is divided into eras, periods
epochs and ages according to the existence of certain forms of life and major physical events The earth began 4500million years ago or 4.5 billion
years ago. (Precambrian Epoch) Most of the land was covered or separated by water
and was slowly moving together to form the super continent Pangea around 320 million years ago (Permian Epoch)
For the next 200 million years, Pangea begins to break apart into continents. The age of the dinosaurs occurs in the middle of this shift in continents around 208 million years ago (Triassic/Jurassic Epochs)
The Appalachians begin to erode into Florida between 65 and 24 million years ago and global freeze exposes land bridges and animals are able to migrate into Florida. (Paleocene to Oligocene Epochs)
PUTTING THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE
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Presentation Notes
The Earth’s history is divided into eras, periods epochs and ages according to the existence of certain forms of life and major physical events. The earth began 4500million years ago or 4.5 billion years ago. (Precambrian)� Most of the land was covered or separated by water and was slowly moving together to form the super continent pangea around 320 million years ago (Permian)� For the next 200 million years, Pangea begins to break apart into continents. The age of the dinosaurs occurs in the middle of this shift in continents around 208 million years ago (Triassic/Jurassic) The Appalachians begin to erode into Florida between 65 and 24 million years ago and global freeze exposes land bridges and animals are able to migrate into Florida. (Paleocene to Oligocene) 5 million years ago the ice melts and Florida is again covered by water but only for a short time of 3.2 million years (Miocene/Pliocene). � After that, the ice age begins and the shape of Florida changes dramatically to twice its size and also exposing only a few islands (Pleistocene)� Man does not show up for nearly 2 million years (Holocene)
THE MANY SHAPES OF FLORIDA We focus on the last
24 million years of Florida’s geological history because this is when Florida’s land mass was going through the most change
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Presentation Notes
We focus on the last 24 million years of Florida’s geological history because this is when Florida’s land mass was going through the most changes. Miocene- orange and green Pliocene- yellow Pleistocene- purple outline Holocene- Red
MIOCENE EPOCH: 24 TO 5 MILLION YEARSAGO
The Miocene Epoch was long with many shifts in the sea level.
When sea levels were high, organic material settled on the ocean floor and the currents precipitated out phosphate compounds in the form of francolite.
The francolite was exposed to bio-chemical decaying processes and changed into the flourapitite, or phosphate rock.
When the sea levels were low, this material was reworked through weathering and concentrated into the locations we mine today.
Glaciers are important to Florida’s story even though the closest ice mass was 500 miles north. When glaciers advance, they freeze up huge quantities of water and the sea level falls. When glaciers melt, sea levels rise.
Glacial melt results in higher sea level
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Miocene Epoch was long with many shifts in the sea level. When sea levels were high, organic material settled on the ocean floor and the currents precipitated out phosphate compounds in the form of francolite. The francolite was exposed to bio-chemical decaying processes and changed into the flourapitite, or phosphate rock. When the sea levels were low, this material was reworked through weathering and concentrated into the locations we mine today. Glaciers are important to Florida’s story even though the closest ice mass was 500 miles north. Glaciers are accumulations of snow and ice that move by the force of gravity. When the glaciers advance, they freeze up huge quantities of water and the sea level falls. When glaciers melt, sea levels rise.
Higher sea level reduces land area
Between 24 and 5 million years ago, the climate warmed, glaciers melted and the sea levels rose. This reduced the amount of land exposed and habitat available. Land animals either adapted, moved on to a more favorable habitat, or became extinct.
Phosphate was formed as a result of upwelling.
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Presentation Notes
Between 24 and 5 million years ago, the climate warmed, glaciers melted and the sea levels rose. This reduced the amount of land exposed and habitat available. Land animals either adapted, moved on to a more favorable habitat, or became extinct. This is the time when phosphate was formed as a result of upwelling and glacial cycles.
Upwelling contributes to concentrated deposits
Wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water.
Animals died out and their remains further enriched the layer of organic material on the ocean floor by releasing an P ion. The P ion precipitated out to form francolite, a phosphate compound.
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Presentation Notes
Cold water, bearing phosphorus rich material flowed toward the surface as a result of upwelling. Tiny marine animals, such as plankton, thrived on this new food source. When these animals died out, their remains further enriched the layer of organic material on the ocean floor by releasing an P ion. As a result of low oxygen conditions, this organic material underwent a chemical reaction and the P ion precipitated out to form francolite, a phosphate compound. Ocean waves and currents worked to concentrate the phosphate deposit into its current location.
PLIOCENE EPOCH: 5 TO 1.8 MILLIONYEARS AGO
As the climate cooled, sea levels fell. At this point, the “footprint” of Florida was a bit smaller than the current perimeter of the state.Florida was often—but not always--underwater. When upwelling stopped, then the climate warmed again
Climate Change!Glaciation lowers sea level
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Presentation Notes
As the climate cooled, sea levels fell. This freeze continued into the Pliocene Epoch. At this point, the “footprint” of Florida was a bit smaller than the current perimeter of the state. During the Pliocene Epoch, 5 million to 1.8 million years ago, Florida was often—but not always--underwater. When upwelling stopped, then the climate warmed again
Glaciation Exposes More Land Area
During dry periods, sediment carried by the ocean and deposited atop limestone created sand ridges exposed as islands, such as the Lake Wales Ridge
This glaciation led to the Pleistocene Epoch
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Presentation Notes
During dry periods, sediment carried by the ocean and deposited atop limestone created sand ridges exposed as islands, such as the Lake Wales Ridge
PLEISTOCENE EPOCH: 1.8 MILLION TO10,000 YEARS AGO
When glaciers advanced, Florida expanded to roughly twice its current width
When glaciers melted, sea levels rose, and the Florida climate became more humid
Similar to today’s African savannah
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The Pleistocene Epoch was the ice age When glaciers advanced, Florida expanded to roughly twice its current width When glaciers melted, sea levels rose, and the Florida climate became more humid During dry periods, sediment carried by the ocean and deposited atop limestone created sand ridges exposed as islands, such as the Lake Wales Ridge
This expansion made it easier for many land animals to migrate into Florida from North, Central and South America.
Then the earth started warming again
The “Ice Age”
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Presentation Notes
This expansion made it easier for many land animals to migrate into Florida from North, Central and South America.
HOLOCENE EPOCH: 10,000 YEARS AGO TOPRESENT Paleo-man migrated into peninsular Florida
Modern animals
Sea level has been rising(geologic warming cycle); global warming?
Global warming and cooling are natural events. The present warming may be another of Earth’s natural climatic oscillations.
human activities and industrial pollutants are changing the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere
The mechanism thought to be responsible for this warming is the greenhouse effect.
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Presentation Notes
The present warming may be another of Earth’s natural climatic oscillations. Considerable evidence, however, suggests that human activities and industrial pollutants are changing the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere, thereby accelerating or triggering the warming. The mechanism thought to be responsible for this warming is the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is caused by small amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, and several other trace gases in the atmosphere. These gases absorb the sun’s radiant heat and retain it in the atmosphere, raising the temperature, as in a greenhouse. Increasing amounts of these gases are being injected into the atmosphere, raising its temperature. pic- http://pensionpulse.blogspot.com/2011/01/florida-pension-fund-broke.html
WHAT DOES THE GEOLOGICAL FUTUREHOLD?To understand the future we must first understand the past.If the weather continues in the warming trend, it is likely that the coastline of Florida will again shrink and Florida may look like the shape in green.Remember, global warming and cooling are natural events, but human activity is interfering with these processes causing them to speed up.
Blue: Under water after 15-feet rise in sea levelBlue/teal: Under water after 25-feet rise in sea level
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If the weather continues in the warming trend, it is likely that the coastline of Florida will again shrink and Florida may look like the shape in green. Remember, global warming and cooling are natural events, but human activity is interfering with these processes causing them to speed up Blue: Under water after 15-feet rise in sea level�Blue/teal: Under water after 25-feet rise in sea level
HOW DO WE KNOW ALL THIS STUFF?
HOW DO WE HELP TEACHERS ANDSTUDENTS UNDERSTAND FLORIDA’SGEOLOGICAL HISTORY?
FLORIDA’S ANCIENT OCEANS! A role-play that condenses four epochs of geologic
time representing a span of 24 million years Several versions Teaches Florida’s Changing Shape, Ancient
Animals, Global Climate Change (warming and cooling)
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Presentation Notes
“Florida’s Ancient Oceans” is a role-play that condenses four epochs of geologic time representing a span of 24 million years. Blue cloth “oceans” are moved on top of a canvas map base to outlines that represent the peninsula’s footprint at various points of geologic time. Players responding to climate cues use puppets of animals that inhabited Florida through time to demonstrate animals’ interaction with the habitat. When a habitat changes markedly, animals respond in one of three ways: they flee, they adapt, or they become extinct (but may leave traces of their existence in the fossil record). Global warming and Global cooling- natural occurrences in nature that have been happening in cycles for millions of years. Discuss with the students the difference between nautral global warming/cooling vs Global warming they hear about in the media which is the speeding up of the process causing damage du to human activity. Discuss warming = melting = sea levels rise Cooling = freezing = sea levels fall CANVAS SHOULD BE EXPOSED, OCEANS TO THE SIDES
GLOBAL WARMING AND COOLING
Global warming and Global cooling are natural occurrences in nature that have been happening in cycles for millions of years
Florida has only been part of the North American continent for 200 million years. For most of that time, it was covered over by the ocean.
Florida was separated from the North American mainland by an east-west channel, called the Gulf Trough. Over time, this channel filled in with the sediments from the erosion of the Appalachian Mountains.
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The land we call Florida has been part of the continent of North America for only 200 million years. Florida rests on a formation geologists call the Florida Platform, a flat base between a point 100 miles west of today’s Tampa and a point within four miles of today’s Palm Beach. For most of the 200 million years Florida was covered by sea. Originally, Florida was separated from the North American mainland by a channel called the Gulf Trough. At first, ocean currents prevented sediment (rocks, sand, and clay) from collecting in the trough, but later, debris filled the channel. CANVAS IS EXPOSED TO IDENTIFY TAMPA AND PALM BEACH TO THE AUDIENCE, THEN THE OCEANS SHOULD BE PULLED TO COVER THE MAP: BEGIN FAO
The Miocene Epoch24-5 Million years ago
•The Miocene Epoch was the period in which much of the phosphate we minetoday was formed. •Ocean currents brought the skeletons and wastes of small sea creatures toward the surface. •When these animals died, their remains further enriched organic material in the ocean. Organic material and sediment underwent a chemical reaction to form phosphate. •Gradually, climate changes late in the Miocene Epoch forced the extinction of many land animals. Cold and drought destroyed forests. Animals that did not adapt or move to other habitats died out.
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Presentation Notes
PULL OCEANS BACK TO REVEAL THE ORANGE /GREEN LINE The Miocene Epoch was the period in which much of the phosphate we mine today was formed. Ocean currents brought the skeletons and wastes of small sea creatures toward the surface. Tiny marine animals thrived on this new supply of food. When these animals died, their remains further enriched organic material in the ocean. Organic material and sediment underwent a chemical reaction to form phosphate. Millions of years after it was formed, after seas receded and the coastline changed, that phosphate lies just 30 to 50 feet underground in parts of central and north Florida. We dig it up and process the phosphate to make useful consumer products, especially the fertilizer that makes plants healthy and quick growing. As the Miocene Epoch began, a few islands emerged in central Florida. Everything else was underwater. Eventually, with the buildup of sand, silt, and clay from the Appalachian Mountains, a small peninsula was exposed. A polar ice cap began to melt and the seas rose to cover Florida. Miocene animals include a three-toed horse, rhinoceros, dugong, gavialosuchus, mako, and magalodon. On cue, come out onto the land or sea and enjoy your habitat. When cues tell you that climate and sea level changes have made your habitat so different that survival is difficult, with two exceptions, your species becomes extinct. (Your bones or teeth may be preserved as fossils and dug up centuries later.) In the case of the dugong, you do not have to lay down your sign; at least one of you may move beyond the canvas, to show that your species has moved to a warmer habitat south of Florida. The megalodon does not become extinct until later; continue to “swim” until you are told that your species has died out. Gradually, climate changes late in the Miocene Epoch forced the extinction of many land animals. Cold and drought destroyed forests. Animals that did not adapt or move to other habitats died out. When plant-eaters died, the meat-eating animals that depended on them for food died out, too
PULL OCEANS BACK TO REVEAL THE ORANGE /GREEN LINE The Miocene Epoch was the period in which much of the phosphate we mine today was formed. Ocean currents brought the skeletons and wastes of small sea creatures toward the surface. Tiny marine animals thrived on this new supply of food. When these animals died, their remains further enriched organic material in the ocean. Organic material and sediment underwent a chemical reaction to form phosphate. Millions of years after it was formed, after seas receded and the coastline changed, that phosphate lies just 30 to 50 feet underground in parts of central and north Florida. We dig it up and process the phosphate to make useful consumer products, especially the fertilizer that makes plants healthy and quick growing. As the Miocene Epoch began, a few islands emerged in central Florida. Everything else was underwater. Eventually, with the buildup of sand, silt, and clay from the Appalachian Mountains, a small peninsula was exposed. A polar ice cap began to melt and the seas rose to cover Florida. Miocene animals include a three-toed horse, rhinoceros, dugong, gavialosuchus, mako, and magalodon. On cue, come out onto the land or sea and enjoy your habitat. When cues tell you that climate and sea level changes have made your habitat so different that survival is difficult, with two exceptions, your species becomes extinct. (Your bones or teeth may be preserved as fossils and dug up centuries later.) In the case of the dugong, you do not have to lay down your sign; at least one of you may move beyond the canvas, to show that your species has moved to a warmer habitat south of Florida. The megalodon does not become extinct until later; continue to “swim” until you are told that your species has died out. Gradually, climate changes late in the Miocene Epoch forced the extinction of many land animals. Cold and drought destroyed forests. Animals that did not adapt or move to other habitats died out. When plant-eaters died, the meat-eating animals that depended on them for food died out, too
The Pliocene Epoch5-1.8 Million years ago•As the climate warmed, sea levels fell. This freeze continued into the Pliocene Epoch. At this point, the “footprint” of Florida was a bit smaller than the current perimeter of the state.•Sea creatures that flourished during the Pliocene Epoch. At times during the Pliocene the seas receded and there was room for land animals on the peninsula. •Then the climate warmed again.•Toward the end of the Pliocene Epoch, earth cooled and changed the habitat of marine animals.
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Presentation Notes
COVER THE MAP WITH ONLY THE YELLOW AREA IN NORTH FLORIDA EXPOSED As the climate warmed, sea levels fell. This freeze continued into the Pliocene Epoch. At this point, the “footprint” of Florida was a bit smaller than the current perimeter of the state. During the Pliocene Epoch, 5 million to 1.8 million years ago, Florida was often—but not always--underwater. Sea creatures that flourished during the Pliocene Epoch included a sand dollar, scallop, spiny jewel box, and star coral. At times during the Pliocene the seas receded and there was room for land animals on the peninsula. The six-horned pronghorn, which resembled today’s antelope, enjoyed a Pliocene land habitat. In Lake Okeechobee, which was then an inland sea, a large walrus thrived. It ate scallops, which feasted on tiny sea creatures churned toward the surface by upwelling currents. Later, the climate again grew much warmer. The pronghorn became extinct. In the Okeechobeean Sea, upwelling stopped, and the scallops went hungry; when the scallops died out, so did the walruses that depended on them for food. Then the climate warmed again. Toward the end of the Pliocene Epoch, earth cooled and changed the habitat of marine animals.
The Pliocene Epoch
Ancient Animals Featured:The Prehistoric OysterThe Sand DollarThe ScallopThe Spiny Jewel BoxThe Star CoralThe StingrayThe Prehistoric WalrusThe Six-Horned Pronghorn
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COVER THE MAP WITH ONLY THE YELLOW AREA IN NORTH FLORIDA EXPOSED As the climate cooled, sea levels fell. This freeze continued into the Pliocene Epoch. At this point, the “footprint” of Florida was a bit smaller than the current perimeter of the state. During the Pliocene Epoch, 5 million to 1.8 million years ago, Florida was often—but not always--underwater. Sea creatures that flourished during the Pliocene Epoch included a sand dollar, scallop, spiny jewel box, and star coral. At times during the Pliocene the seas receded and there was room for land animals on the peninsula. The six-horned pronghorn, which resembled today’s antelope, enjoyed a Pliocene land habitat. In Lake Okeechobee, which was then an inland sea, a large walrus thrived. It ate scallops, which feasted on tiny sea creatures churned toward the surface by upwelling currents. Later, the climate again grew much warmer. The pronghorn became extinct. In the Okeechobeean Sea, upwelling stopped, and the scallops went hungry; when the scallops died out, so did the walruses that depended on them for food. Then the climate warmed again. Toward the end of the Pliocene Epoch, earth cooled and changed the habitat of marine animals.
•Florida underwent many changes.
•Sometimes sea levels were high, the climate was humid, and the only land was just a group of islands.
•Called the Ice Age because of its four great glacial periods
•Where was the ice?
The Pleistocene Epoch1.8 Million-10,000 years ago
The “Ice Age”
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MOVE OCEANS AWAY TO EXPOSE BIG FAT FLORIDA During the Pleistocene Epoch, from 1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years ago, Florida underwent many changes. Sometimes sea levels were high, the climate was humid, and the only land was just a group of islands. Sediment carried by the ocean was deposited on top of limestone, creating sand ridges, such as the Lake Wales Ridge. Sometimes during the Pleistocene, sea levels were low and the climate turned much drier. The Pleistocene Epoch is sometimes called the Ice Age because of its four great glacial periods. When glaciers advanced, freezing over the rivers that normally flowed to the seas, Florida expanded to roughly twice its current width- “Big Fat Florida”
ARTISTIC LICENSE
No Dinosaurs in Florida Dinosaur extinction occurred 65 million years ago ~41 million years BEFORE the land as we know as
Florida formed Base rock was underwater
“Objects in mirror are larger than they appear” Children (and adults) have a hard time
differentiating between Florida’s geologic history and animated movies
The species that lived in Florida were similar but not the same as in movies
Ancient Animal sizes were altered Epochs were combined
FOR EXAMPLE:
3 to 4 feet
12 feet
Ground Sloth
Glyptodont
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Sid pic- http://style.uk.msn.com/sex-and-relationships/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=149248504 Ice age glyptodont- http://www.claypixel.com/Resume.html Car pic- http://mikejsmith.net/2010/05/13/its-punch-buggy-not-punch-dub/
The “Ice Age”Ancient Animals Featured:The CamelThe Dire WolfThe Giant SlothThe GlyptodontThe MammothThe MastadonThe Saber-CatThe Paleo-Man
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During the Pleistocene epoch, climate and sea level changed many times. Pleistocene animals include a Bison antiquus, camel, dire wolf, giant sloth, glyptodont, mammoth, mastodon, and saber-tooth cat. These animals come to Florida and are joined after a while by Paleo-Man (human beings came to the peninsula at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch). All of these animals except Paleo-man enjoy Florida habitats until cues indicate that changes have made survival impossible. Then all but Paleo-man become extinct and resume your seats. Paleo-man selects a Paleo-Indian successor. Around 10,000 years ago, man came to the peninsula. Man hunted bison, horses, and mammoths. Then the climate grew warmer. Glaciers melted, sea levels rose, and the Florida climate became more humid. Several factors, including man’s hunting ability, changes in climate and habitat, and diseases that the large animals had never before been exposed to, are cited as reasons that many animals became extinct during the late Pleistocene Epoch. Experts disagree about which factor was most responsible. (You can think of the three theories as Over-kill, Over-chill, and Over-ill.) Paleo-man was what scientists call “modern.” He was able to adapt to changes in the environment. Paleo-man did not become extinct. Instead, his descendants, the Paleo-Indians, formed cultures (loose-knit societies) throughout the peninsula. These groups included the Timucuans in northeastern and north-central Florida, the Apalachee in the Panhandle, the Tocobaga near today’s Tampa, the Calusa along the southwest Gulf coast, and the Tequestas near today’s Miami.
The Holocene Epoch10,000 years ago to Present
•During the Holocene or Modern Epoch, sea levels have been rising.
•This is the outline or “footprint” of Florida as we know it today.
• Change has been constant.
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MOVE OCEANS TO THE RED OUTLINE TO REVEAL MODERN FLORIDA During the Holocene or Modern Epoch, sea levels have been rising. One reason is the natural cycle, independent of man, in which polar ice caps and glaciers melt and seawater rises. Another reason for rising sea levels is the increase in global temperature that resulted when mankind began to burn more fuels, starting during the Industrial Revolution of the 1700s. This is the outline or “footprint” of Florida as we know it today. Change has been constant. Each change in climate and sea level contributed to the outline of Florida and to the water, plant, animal, and mineral wealth of the part of the world we call home. Holocene (Modern) animals include an alligator, armadillo, bluegill, eastern cottontail, gopher tortoise, horseshoe crab, opossum, raccoon, and modern man, all contending for survival in Florida habitats during all or part of the last 10,000 years. Toward the end of the Pleistocene, Bison bison appears and then quickly leaves Florida.
The Holocene Epoch
Ancient Animals Featured:The AlligatorThe ArmadilloThe BisonThe BluegillThe Eastern CottontailThe Horseshoe CrabThe OpossumThe RaccoonThe Gopher TortoiseThe Modern Man
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Presentation Notes
MOVE OCEANS TO THE RED OUTLINE TO REVEAL MODERN FLORIDA During the Holocene or Modern Epoch, sea levels have been rising. One reason is the natural cycle, independent of man, in which polar ice caps and glaciers melt and seawater rises. Another reason for rising sea levels is the increase in global temperature that resulted when mankind began to burn more fuels, starting during the Industrial Revolution of the 1700s. This is the outline or “footprint” of Florida as we know it today. Change has been constant. Each change in climate and sea level contributed to the outline of Florida and to the water, plant, animal, and mineral wealth of the part of the world we call home. Holocene (Modern) animals include an alligator, armadillo, bluegill, eastern cottontail, gopher tortoise, horseshoe crab, opossum, raccoon, and modern man, all contending for survival in Florida habitats during all or part of the last 10,000 years. Toward the end of the Pleistocene, Bison bison appears and then quickly leaves Florida.
REVIEW USING “MAKE AND TAKE” VISUALAID
Miocene Epoch Pliocene Epoch Pleistocene Epoch
Holocene Epoch
ORIGINS OF THE TRAVELING LIBRARY
Why? To help reinforce phosphate-based lessons
Developed by FIPR Institute staff
Adapted by FIPR Institute staff from other sources
Developed by cooperating teachers
TO WHOM DO WE LEND THESEACTIVITIES?
Teachers in Florida!
Realizing that fieldtrips are increasingly difficult to arrange, The FIPR Institute can:
-Lend out materials, -Make a presentation in your classroom -Do an activity in your classroom
There is NO COST to teachers and delivery/pick-up can be arranged
OTHER TRAVELING LIBRARY ACTIVITIES: A Paste with a Taste Bird Seed Mining Fossil Imprints GPS Technology and Phosphate Mining Rocks and Mineral Identification A Timeline Rope Water Quality Testing The Stuff of Life Cooking Mining Colorimetric Lab Demonstration Ore Body Battleship Florida’s Ancient Oceans Kids Dig It! Midas Miners Activity Presentation: Reclamation Rangers Plant to Reclaim
WANT MORE? Annual Summer Teacher Workshop August 1-5, 2011 Intense with field trips and hands-on activities
CONTACT US: Contact the FIPR Institute Education Program
