Phoenix Mountains Project
GEOLOGY OF PHOENIX MOUNTAINS FINAL PROJECT 200 PTS
DUE TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016
This is your final exam grade 20% of your semester grade.
Phoenix has a complex and interesting geologic history. This history is evident all around us in the rocks and mountains - In this project you will investigate the geology of some prominent Phoenix landmark mountains and present it to the class. You will create a multi media presentation about your mountain.
Pick one of the following Camelback Mountain
North Mountain and Shaw Butte
Stony Mountain
Look Out Mountain
Shadow Mountain
Piestiewa Peak (20 extra points as it is much more big and complex)
* 20 extra points for field research as these are farther away
South Mountain*
White Tanks Mountains*
McDowell Mountains*
White Tanks Mountains *
Papago Buttes / Hole in the Rock*
Tempe(Hayden) Butte*
Superstition Mountains
This project will require field research –one or more of your group will journey to the mountain to take pictures or video. You may have to go multiple times if you don’t plan your visit well.
Your project should focus on the following topics:
· The types of rock in the area. Explain what rocks are on your mountain and are there any mineral resources (mining). How are the rocks formed and in what environments. How does your mountain fit in with the geology of Phoenix area? What is Your Mountain made of? Why is it made of these rocks? Where are these rocks on the mountain?
· The geologic history – The sequence in which the rock units formed, when did the mountain form – how it and they form and what geologic time periods they formed in. What else was happening in Arizona at that time. When were the rocks made? When was the mountain made? What was happening here at that time?
· Examples of geologic processes and principles – show some examples of weathering -erosion – super position – unconformities – cleavage – bedding planes – foliation - inclusions - crystals mineral veins etc. superposition - original horizontality - inclusions - intrusions - strata – faults - strike and dip .
· Topography How is the topography (shape) of the land related to the geology (rocks and earth forces) in the Phoenix area? How is the shape of the land related to the geologic processes? How does this fit into the geology of the Phoenix area and Arizona (Why is this mountain there?)
Now the (bad/good) news: this is a group/collaborative project
Each group will have at the most 4 people. No more! No exceptions so don’t ask.
Each group will have one person fill the following roles:
Researcher/fact checker: This person is in charge of – Compiling information about your mountain and writes treatment and the script for the video. researches general info on the mountain – location elevation etc. The kinds of rocks – geologic times – any other interesting facts about your mountain, verifies information from others is accurate.
What you turn in. A detailed script -- explanations of each shot - and dialogue 1– 3 pages.
Film maker/fact checker : Makes the video edits and creates titles and assists in getting and verifying info included in video. Compiles info and or videos from team members.
What you turn in. The completed video up load on thumb drive video to You tube .
Video must be at least 5 minutes but no longer than 15 minutes.
Physical Geologist : This person is in charge of : Researching the geology of the mountain -what kind of rocks it is made of what minerals are the rocks made of. A detailed description of each rock on your mountain with pictures of each. An explanations of how these rocks form and what environments they form in.
What you turn in. Poster with pictures of your mountain and the rocks on your mountain. Include at least one aerial photo of the mountain and a hand drawn topographic map which must have at least 20 contour intervals. Map must conform to USGS color key. Include a title, key and approximate scale. Maps and should be at least 10 x 10 but no larger than 14 x 14 inches.
Historical Geologist: Writes the geologic history (when were the rocks made and when was the mountain made these happened at different times) and making hand made geologic map .
What you turn in poster with a hand made geologic map and geologic time scale . Map must conform to USGS color key. Include a aerial photo of the mountain showing where each rock is., title pictures of your mountain with explanations of the type of rock and when it formed and what was happening in the Phoenix area during that time, A map key and approximate scale. Maps should be at least 10 x 10 but no larger than 14 x 14inches.
All members of group must have a part in video – you must document your involvement.
All maps must be hand made drawn – no copies or images from the internet (photos excluded)
100 points for your part - 100 points for your part in video - Total for project 200 pts
The project is due Tuesday December 20th 2016
Late projects will be reduced 1/2 each day late. (No exceptions no excuses)
Presentations will be on December 20 (all periods) 21 (periods 1,7) and 22 (periods 2, 4 and 6)
Presentation schedule will be made after final projects are turned in.
This is your Final Exam grade - 20% of your semester grade.
Due Tuesday December 20th
Guide to Geologic Map of Phoenix Mountains
Info on Phoenix geology