Catastrophe
C
student summary
O
N
C
E
P
T
I can understand that…
S
Evidence
Q

To solve problems and develop
explanations often needs many
scientists from different subject
areas and countries to work
together.
E
S
T
I
O
I can answer…
N
S
Evidence
K
I
L
L

S

I know how to…
Communicate effectively in an organised manner
so as to work efficiently in a group.
F A C T S

Suggest what specialisms may be needed to
solve particular scientific problems.
K E Y W O R D S
There are many examples of scientific disciplines
such as seismology, geochemistry and
volcanology.
collaboration
disciplines
Scientists are linked to other scientists worldwide
personally, through their workplaces and through
international scientific organisations.
specialisms
skills
Activity from the Catastrophe unit © upd8 wikid, built by cracking science 2009
S
Are teams better than
individuals?
Collaboration can improve the
accuracy and reliability of results,
and the validity of conclusions.
Collaboration is when scientists with different skills,
specialisms and nationalities work together to
reach a common goal.
U
Scientists work in labs and
wear white coats, don’t
they?
Science consists of many disciplines
because scientists cannot know
everything about science. In each
discipline, scientists have different
knowledge and use different
techniques.
I can remember that…
Evacuate
techniques
This page may have been changed from the original
Catastrophe
C
student summary
O
N
C
E
P
I can understand that…
T
Q
S
Evidence

Studying volcanoes allows scientists
to work out what the inside of the
Earth is like, and collect evidence
for predicting future eruptions.
A
C
T
E
S
T
I
O
I can answer…
N
S

Evidence
Why do volcanoes
erupt?
S
I can remember that…
U
What's it like inside the
Earth?
By studying a rock you can tell how
it was formed.
F
Etna

How can volcanologists
help save lives?
S
The Earth consists of a core, a solid mantle that
behaves like a fluid, and a thin crust.
K
I
L
L
S

I know how to…
The Earth's heat comes from radioactive reactions
in its core.
Measure the viscosity of model lava.
The rock in the mantle can melt and become
liquid rock called magma.
Identify rock types by examining their properties.
A volcano is an opening in the Earth's crust that
allows magma, ash and gases to escape from
below the surface.
K E Y W O R D S
ash
basalt
core
Liquid rock on the Earth’s surface is called lava.
crust
crystals
dense
Igneous rocks, like granite, pumice and basalt,
form when liquid rock cools. Igneous rocks are
usually hard and non-porous.
granite
igneous
lava
magma
mantle
marble
metamorphic
pumice
slate
viscous
volcano
Metamorphic rocks, such as marble and slate, form
when heat or pressure changes other rocks.
Activity from the Catastrophe unit © upd8 wikid, built by cracking science 2009
This page may have been changed from the original
Catastrophe
C
student summary
O
N
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P
I can understand that…
T
Q
S
Evidence

The Earth's surface is the way it is
partly because of the motion of
water, ice and wind, which
continually break down exposed
rock surfaces and take the pieces
of rock elsewhere.
F
A
C
T
Physical weathering is caused by temperature
changes, for example.
Chemical weathering happens when acids in
water react with rock minerals, for example.
Biological weathering happens when plant roots or
animal actions break up rocks.
Moving water, ice and wind carry rock fragments
(sediments) away from weathered rock surfaces.
This is erosion.
The speed of the water will determine the distance
that the different sized sediments are taken.
Most sedimentary rocks are porous.
Activity from the Catastrophe unit © upd8 wikid, built by cracking science 2009
E
S
T
I
O
I can answer…
N
S

Evidence
Why aren't rocks all the
same?

What makes rocks wear
away?
Rocks contain minerals, which are elements or
compounds that exist naturally.
Weathering breaks down exposed rocks into
smaller pieces, called sediments.
U
How can dams be
dangerous?
S
I can remember that…
Damburst
S
K
I
L
L
S

I know how to…
Use observations of rocks to suggest how the rock
was weathered and/or transported.
Model processes by which rocks are weathered
and eroded.
K E Y W O R D S
biological
weathering
carbonate
chemical
weathering
erosion
igneous
metamorphic
mineral
physical
weathering
porous
sediment
sedimentary
silt
This page may have been changed from the original
Catastrophe
C
student summary
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N
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I can understand that…
T
Q
S
Evidence

C
T
Sedimentary rocks are formed when sediments are
laid down and joined together.
In most sedimentary rocks, dissolved minerals
cemented the sediments together.
In some places, folding and uplift has brought
older layers to the surface.
Fossil and other remains of life forms preserved in
sedimentary rocks provide evidence for the story of
life – including human life – on Earth.
Rock ages, estimated by radioactive dating
techniques, help us to date the stages of the story
of life on Earth.
Activity from the Catastrophe unit © upd8 wikid, built by cracking science 2009
S
T
I
O
I can answer…
N
S

Evidence
How have humans
changed?
Are hobbits real?
S
I can remember that…
E
How long have humans
been around?
Sedimentary rock may contain
remains of life forms. These remains
help scientists piece together the
story of life on Earth.
A
U
How old is the Earth?
Sediments constantly lay down
layers of new rock. These
thousands of layers provide
evidence for the age of the Earth.
F
Hobbit

S
K
I
L
L
S

I know how to…
Use models to explain how sedimentary rocks are
formed.
K E Y W O R D S
cement
deposited
extinct
fossil
homonid
radioactive
decay
rock cycle
sedimentary
strata
timeline
uplift
This page may have been changed from the original