Pacific Northwest Geology Project
You will do an independent research/modeling project on one of the following topics, of your
choice. You will turn in:
 A report/explanation on how your landform was created (may be typed or hand-written)
 A physical model that shows the creation of your landform
 An evaluation of your model (similarities and differences/benefits and limitations)
Be sure to include all of the information included in each section. You may NOT use Wikipedia.
1. Explain how the Cascade Mountain Range formed, including:
 Location and name of the plates that are involved in making this landform
 How the Subduction zone effects the formation of this landform (what happens to create
volcanoes?)
 Description of famous local volcanoes that are created in this mountain range.
http://www.colorado.edu/GeolSci/Resources/WUSTectonics/PacNW/juan_de_Fuca_general.html
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/index.html
http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/education/concepts/concepts_cascadesierra.cfm
2. Explain how Crater Lake (in Oregon) was formed, including:
 Information about the volcano that caused the crater:
o Name of volcano
o Type of volcano
o Location of crater/volcano
o Date of most major eruption that caused the crater
 Describe the process for how the crater and lake were formed
o Include the definition of a caldera
o Include where the water for the lake came from
http://oe.oregonexplorer.info/craterlake//formation.html
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/CraterLake/Locale/
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2002/fs092-02/
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/crater_lake/
3. Explain how the Channeled Scablands were formed, including:
 Definition of what the Scablands are and where they are found.
 Description of the glaciers and flooding creating this landform.
 Explanation of water erosion and how it also shaped this landform.
http://hugefloods.com/Scablands.html
http://www4.uwsp.edu/geo/projects/geoweb/participants/dutch/VTrips/Scablands0.HTM
http://www.glaciallakemissoula.org/
http://www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org/
4. Explain how the Ghost Forests in Washington were formed, including:
 Definition of a Ghost Forest
 Explanation of how ghost forests are formed
 At least one specific example of a Ghost Forest in Washington State (location)
 Information about the cause of ghost forests in Washington
o Definition of a mega-thrust earthquake
o Date of the “Cascadia” mega-thrust earthquake in the Pacific Northwest
http://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=usgs&utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=cascadia&commit=Search
http://www.burkemuseum.org/static/earthquakes/bigone/detective.html
http://www.northbeachvacation.com/copalis_ghost_forest.html
http://science.kqed.org/quest/2011/10/07/tales-from-the-ghost-forests/
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/ecocenter/land/shocks.html
5. Explain how the Ginkgo Petrified Forest in Eastern Washington was formed, including:
 Explanation of how the petrified forest was formed and how it is related to the formation of the
Columbia Plateau
i. Define and describe the processes of basalt flows and petrification
 Map with the location of the forest labeled
 Three interesting facts
http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2008160675_trpetrifiedforest07.html
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=7396
http://www.evolvingearth.org/learnearthscience/sciencearticles0501fossilforest.htm
http://hugefloods.com/Basalt.html
6. Explain how the Olympic Mountain Range formed, including:
 Location of where and what the plates are that created this landform.
 How the Subduction zone effects the formation of this landform.
o Include information on the accretionary wedge
 Description of famous local volcanoes that are created in this mountain range.
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/Topics/GeologicHazardsMapping/Pages/earthquakes.aspx
http://www.colorado.edu/GeolSci/Resources/WUSTectonics/PacNW/juan_de_Fuca_general.html
http://www.nwparkscience.org/parks/olym
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ResearchScience/Topics/GeologyofWashington/Pages/olympic.aspx
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/natural/1a/nh1ab.htm
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/natural/1b/nh1bb.htm
How will I be graded?
The following rubric will be used for your topic!
Standards
ES3D
Local Landform
INQ E
Comparing Model
INQ E
Contrasting Model
INQ E
Model Benefits
INQ E
Model Limits
INQ E
Ability to create a
model
Creativity/Effort
4
Extra relevant
information added to
better explain.
Explanation is
worded/crafted
above a 7th grade
level.
I have at least 2
detailed very
insightful reasons
that explains how the
model is like the real
life system/process/
concept.
I have detailed and
very insightful
reasons that explains
how the model is
NOT like the real life
system/process/
concept.
I have 3 or more very
detailed and
insightful benefits
that explain why this
model is good to
us/study.
I have 3 or more very
detailed and
insightful limitations
that explain why this
model is not good to
us/study.
My model accurately
represents my
system/process
above the current
7th grade level
(above what we have
learned in class)
More effort than the
average 7th grader
DUE:
2
1
ALL bullet points
discussed and well
represented.
Extremely
informative on ALL
subjects.
MOST bullet points
discussed and well
represented.
Informative on MOST
subjects.
SOME bullet points
discussed and well
represented.
Informative on SOME
subjects.
I have at least 2 valid
reasons that explains
how the model is like
the real life
system/process/
concept.
I have reasons that
explains how the
model is like the real
life system/process/
concept, but it is
incomplete or vague.
I cannot explain how
the model is like the
real life
system/process/
concept
I have at least 2 valid
reasons that explains
how the model is
NOT like the real life
system/process/
concept.
I have reasons that
explains how the
model is NOT like the
real life
system/process/
concept, but it is
incomplete or vague.
I have 2-1 benefits
OR my benefits are
incomplete vague.
I cannot explain how
the model is NOT like
the real life
system/process/
concept
I have 3 detailed
limitations that
explains why this
model is not good to
use/study.
I have 2-1 limitations
OR my limitations
are incomplete
vague.
I do not give
limitations that
explains why this
model is not good to
use/study.
My model accurately
represents my
chosen
system/process.
My model has some
missing parts to the
system/process.
My model does not
explain the
system/process
chosen.
Colorful, organized,
and effort put into
the project to show
7th grade level.
Very little creativity.
Minimal effort to get
by.
No effort put into
project
3
I have 3 detailed
benefits that explains
why this model is
good to use/study.
I do not give benefits
that explains why
this model is good to
use/study.
!!!!