Name_________________________________ Date_________________
When Scientists want to understand natural processes, such as mountain formation they
often make models to help them. Models are useful in studying how rocks react to the
forces of plate tectonics. In a short amount of time a model can demonstrate geological
processes that take millions of years. This lab will show you how folding and faulting
occur in the earths crust.
1. Add the terms syncline, anticline and fault to your glossary.
2. Get your supplies – 2 clay balls, blue board, paper towels, and small poster board
piece.
3. Create 4 equal size balls from each color of clay.
4. Smash and shape each ball into equal size and shape flattened rectangles.
5. Stack alternating colors to create 2 layered rectangles.
6. What do these stacks represent?______________________________________
7. Draw a picture of the blocks.
8. Take the first block of clay push gently on both sides of the block.
9. Draw the results of the pressure label your drawings syncline and anticline and
use arrows to show the direction from which the pressure came.
10. Now take the second block of clay.
11. Press your poster board at a 45 degree angle through the center of the clay block.
12. What does the poster board represent?_____________________________
13. What do the two angled ends represent?________________________________
and a _________________________________
14. Draw a picture and label it.
15. Keeping the angled edges together, hold the blocks, and gently push on them until
they move. Record your observation.
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Draw and label a picture
16. Now put the clay back in its original position. Then slowly pull them apart,
allowing the hanging wall to move downward. Record your observations.
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Draw and label a picture
17. Summarize how the forces you applied to the blocks of clay relate to the way
tectonic forces affect rock layers. Be sure to use the terms fold, fault, anticline,
syncline, hanging wall, footwall, tension and compression.
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18. Clean up your area and return all supplies.