Cave Diving

While cave diving is exciting and adventurous, it is more importantly a dangerous activity. Nonetheless, diving into a beautiful underwater cave with winding tunnels and unique animals attracts certain people. When one cave dives, he or she cannot swim straight up to the surface if need be because of tunnels and other pathways—this is referred to as penetration diving. Visibility can also be a problem when it comes to cave diving. Caves are formed mostly in limestone, a sedimentary rock. Some acid is naturally found in rainwater which, when it rains, is absorbed into the ground. This water slowly dissolves the limestone underground, which carves a cave. As it continues to rain in the future, the cave fills up with water, eventually attracting adventurous cave divers.

Community Gardens

Community gardens are plots of land that are gardened together by a group of people who all benefit from their labors.  Not only do community gardens provide fresh fruit and vegetables but they also give the community a sense of unity and a closer relationship to the environment.  The lack of healthy eating in America is risking good health, but community gardens supply necessary, healthy food for us.  They are also a great way for people living in apartments, condos, or other housing without a yard to garden.  Every town needs a community garden to increase the health of the town and bring the community closer together.

Rocks Found on Campus

Change in Elevation over Distance

For this lab, I measured the change in elevation over a span of 150 miles using 30 mile increments. I randomly chose to measure this in Central Kentucky, which you can see in the image of Google Earth. The elevation steadily increased, going from 671feet above sea level to 1275 feet above sea level. Google Earth is simple to use and a great way to figure out measurements like the one just described.

Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents

       

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are found in geologically active areas of the ocean floor.  These vents are formed when the ocean water gets into the Earth’s crust, and magma heats the water.  When the water is boiling it goes back up to the surface all the while dissolving minerals and other types of rock.  At the ocean floor again, the water is now extremely dark.  Eventually, the rim of the vent will begin to look like a chimney.  The water that is expelled from these deep-sea hydrothermal vents is greater than 360 degrees Fahrenheit.  Organisms that live near the vents obtain their food from the vents through chemosynthesis.  Riftia, or giant tubeworms, are abundant in this environment.  These giant tubeworms are food for small shrimps and crabs.  Clams also live here.

http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/hydrothermal-vents.html

  

Mineral Identification

1) Pyrite

Also called Fools Gold, pyrite is composed of iron sulfide.  It is an opaque mineral with a metallic luster.  It is a brittle mineral that is formed in all types of environments.

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/pyrite.aspx

2) Gypsum

Gypsum is composed of hydrous calcium sulfate.  Gypsum is usually found with no pieces broken off of it.  This mineral is known for its flexibility, and it can also be transparent or opaque.  Gypsum also has a vitreous to pearly luster. A vitreous luster is reflective like glass.

http://www.minerals.net/mineral/gypsum.aspx