Module 5.

Ancient Environments of Painted Canyon

Synopsis

In this module you will examine some common environments and the rocks formed in these environments, including rocks from Painted Canyon. You will use the computers to examine different present-day environments (like beaches and rivers) and the types of loose sediments and rocks they form. You will then examine a reference suite of rocks formed from some common environments and then observe, describe, identify, and locate some rocks from Painted Canyon. You will then interpret the environment in which each of the Painted Canyon rocks formed.

Introduction

Rocks deposited in “normal” environments, such as within rivers and beaches, are an important part of Painted Canyon. The reconnaissance team has put together some computer-based and rock-based materials to help you learn about the kinds of rocks formed in such environments. In Painted Canyon, these rocks contain resources, such as limestone for cement, which will be essential to your settlement.

 

Goals for This Module

Observe photographs of various natural environments, identify the processes that occur in each environment,
and predict the kinds of deposits each environment forms

Observe and characterize six kinds of sedimentary rock

Describe, identify, and propose an environment for unknown rock samples from Painted Canyon

Locate samples on the topographic map of Painted Canyon

 

Exercises

Exercise 5A: Interpreting Environments of Sedimentary Rocks

 

Exercise 5B: Observing Sedimentary Rocks

 

Exercise 5C: Observing and Identifying Sedimentary Rocks from Painted Canyon and Interpreting their Environments

 

Exercise 5D: Locating Samples from Painted Canyon

 

Exercise 5E: Testing Your New Knowledge

Follow the directions in your lab manual, which will instruct you on how to complete Assessment 5E on Canvas.

 

Module 5 follow-up quiz

Complete the Module 5 follow-up quiz on Canvas.

 

 

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