Lab 5: Graphing Elevation

The task of this lab was to determine the elevation along some path and graph that elevation. I measured the path that I took on a trip to Colorado when I traveled from the Denver Airport to Glenwood Springs. The path shown is an approximation, not the exact path I took.

X-Axis=Distance in Miles
Y-Axis=Elevation in Feet Above Sea Level

I used Google Earth tools (including the path and ruler tools) to create a path, determine 10 mile increments, and determine the elevation every 10 miles. As the graph shows, the elevation from Denver to Glenwood Springs increases until about halfway then decreases. This is due to the mountainous terrain as this path goes right through the Rocky Mountains.

Lab 4: Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

At the places where the plates meet in the middle of the ocean lie deep sea hydrothermal vents. At these vents, hot gases from deep within the earth shoot up through the crust and into the water. The warmth creates a unique environment for various organisms; the vents themselves allow scientists to learn more about the Earth and its composition.

View from Alvin at a hydrothermal vent

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and its submarine "Alvin" has been a leading figure in research on deep sea hydrothermal vents. Alvin has been used to look at the gases and rocks from within the earth as well as the creatures living near these vents.

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The various organisms that live near the vents thrive on chemosynthesis which is the process of using chemicals, instead of light, for energy. Microorganisms use this process and serve as prey for more complex organisms such as shrimp and crab.

Lab 3: Mineral Identification

Olivine [(Mg, Fe)2SiO4]

The picture shown is an example of peridot, a variation of olivine. Olivine is an example of a silicate mineral and its crystal structure is made up of individual tetrahedra causing it to form small, round crystals. Olivine is categorized more specifically in the dark silicate group and is characterized by its greenish color and its glassy luster. It is typically found in the Earth's mantle and is brought to the surface through volcanic activity and can be found most commonly in basalt, an igneous rock. 
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Fluorite [CaF2]

Fluorite is a non-silicate mineral and is a member of the halide group. It typically comes in purple (as shown), green, or yellow, but can come in other colors. It is also a fairly soft mineral and has four lines of cleavage. Fluorite is often found inside of rocks that have resulted from some sort of hydrothermal activity. Fluorite is used for many industrial purposes including steelmaking and lens making. 

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