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BELLRINGERS
ESS2: Earth's Systems
MS ESS2-2
How geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scale
- Why do you think the Appalachian Mountains are much smoother than the Rocky Mountains?
- How does the surface of the Earth look different as a result of the Mountain Saint Helens eruption?
- How could glaciers be responsible for the formation of fjords like this one in Norway?
- Since their formation, how do you think these Hawaiian mountains have changed?
- What do you think is causing these plates in Iceland to move apart?
- Why do you think the sand on this beach in Iceland is black?
- Explain why volcanoes erupt.
- Explain where lava comes from and why it's so hot.
![A comparison of the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.13.55-PM-1024x572.png)
![Mount Saint Helens](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.24.22-PM-1024x578.png)
How does the surface of the Earth look different as a result of the Mount Saint Helens eruption?
Common Misconceptions
- The Earth’s surface has always looked the same.
- Plate tectonics is a recent phenomenon.
- Mountains are permanent
- Volcanoes only exist on land.
- All volcanoes are alike.
![Norway Fjords](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.30.38-PM-1024x573.png)
How could glaices be responsible for the formation of fjords like this one in Norway. Include a diagram in your explanation.
Note: a fjord is a long, narrow deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs.
Common Misconceptions
- The surface of the Earth does not change much.
![Mountains in Hawaii](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.35.49-PM-1024x575.png)
Since their formation, how do you think the mountains have changed? What doyou think causes them to change?
Common Misconceptions
- Volcanoes only exist on land
- Hawaii was formed by a single volcanic eruption
- Hawaii is a single landmass
- Hawaii was formed by a meteor impact
- Hawaii’s volcanoes are extinct
- The Hawaiian islands were always tropical
- The surface of the Earth does not change much.
Additional Resources
![Giants Causeway](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.39.20-PM-1024x574.png)
Draw a diagram that shows the process that made the basalt columns.
Label the lava, fissures, and basalt columns.
Common Misconceptions
- The surface of the Earth does not change much.
- The Giant’s Causeway was formed by volcanic eruptions.
- The Giant’s Causeway was formed recently.
Additional Resources
![Plate boundary in Iceland](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-14-at-10.44.20-PM-1024x572.png)
What do you think is causing the plates to move apart?
About how much farther apart will these cliffs be when you are 60 years old?
Common Misconceptions
- The surface of the Earth doesn’t change much.
- Plate tectonics is a recent phenomenon.
- Plate tectonics only occurs on land.
- Plate boundaries never change.
- Plate tectonics is always a slow process.
![Iceland Black Sands Beach](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-15-at-1.55.42-PM-1024x573.png)
What processes do you think created this sand?
Common Misconceptions
- Volcanoes only exist on land.
- Volcanoes are not active anymore.
- Volcanic eruptions begin at the top of the volcano.
![Volcano Eruption](https://virtualscienceteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Screen-Shot-2023-01-15-at-2.08.23-PM-1024x575.png)
Include a labeled diagram as part of your explanation.
Common Misconceptions
- Volcanoes only exist on land.
- Volcanoes are not active anymore.
- Volcanic eruptions begin at the top of the volcano.