Background Knowledge:
Background Knowledge:
Embedded Files
To study the mystery of the Devonian Extinction, the first thing we need to do is figure out where we can find the actual Devonian rocks that hold the clues!
The world looked very different in the middle of the Devonian Period than it does today! The continents were clumped together in the Southern hemisphere and their shapes and sizes did not resemble those of today's continents.
Our knowledge of how the crust of the Earth has changed and moved around over time (plate tectonics) helps us understand which parts of the world were near each other at different times in Earth history. That's how we can narrow down where to look for clues about specific time periods. Likewise, if you find very similar fossils in different parts of the world, we can assume it might be a clue that those places were once maybe connected in an older continent.
The first Devonian Period rocks were found in England, in a place called Devon, hence the name... Since the 1830s, scientists have found Devonian rocks in: United States, Canada, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Czech Republic, China, Vietnam, Mongolia, Iran, Russia, Morocco and as far away as Australia.
Work the Case:
Work the Case:
Our team has collected rock and fossil samples from different locations where evidence of the Devonian mass extinction has been found. Test your knowledge of geography by finding each field site location on the map and determining the state or country the site is in:
In the map below... click the orange target to begin, the map will take you to 8 different field site locations.
Try to figure out where each location is, and answer the question when prompted.
If you answer correctly, you will be prompted to look for the next location on the map.
At the end of the activity, you will receive the PASSKEY for this challenge.
Once you have the PASSKEY, scroll down the page and click on the "Next Challenge" arrow.
When you have the TWO passkeys on this page, MAKE SURE TO WRITE THEM DOWN SOMEWHERE, YOU WILL NEED THEM LATER. Then click on the arrow to proceed to the next challenge in the case of the Devonian Extinction Mystery...
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