Introducing Sinkholes
Objective: To find out why the ground sometimes opens up and swallows whatever is above.
Sinkholes can happen in different locations at different times. Whether is be in the middle of a large Chinese city or the wetlands of Louisiana, USA. Watch the two videos below to get an idea what happens. Which one scares you the most?
Sinkholes can happen in different locations at different times. Whether is be in the middle of a large Chinese city or the wetlands of Louisiana, USA. Watch the two videos below to get an idea what happens. Which one scares you the most?
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Guatemala City - 2010
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Task 1 - The image to the right is of one of the most famous sinkholes in the world. It happened in Guatemala City in 2010.
Complete the worksheet below by choosing one of the following two scenarios and completing the story. Scenario 1 - A driver of a car. Just leaving the large white building on the top right of the photo. The rain is beating down and your windscreen wipers are on full speed as you reach the cross roads in front and turn left onto 6A Calle (see Google Map below). You are just approaching the junction with 11 Avenida when you hear a strange noise and your car starts vibrating. At first you think you have a flat tyre, but then to your horror ....... Scenario 2 - A worker in the tyre factory on the cross roads. You are just coming towards the end of the morning shift and have been moving and loading tyres onto a delivery lorry stationed in front of the factory. Your waterproof jacket is no match for the lashing rain. The driver of the lorry asks you to sign the forms to say he can leave. You shake his hand, turn around to go back inside and then it starts, like a giant plug draining into the abyss. Startled, you turn around ....... |
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Why Do Sinkholes Happen?
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On lots of news reports about major sinkholes appearing, you will hear the name of a particular rock mentioned again, and again.
This rock is very special and we need to understand its formation and then how over time it can help sinkholes to form. Task 2 - Study the map to the right. The purple areas indicate areas that have Karst scenery. These areas would indicate that there is limestone under the ground. Label the following places onto the worksheet. 1. Guatemala City Sinkhole 2010 (video) & (map) 2. Guangdong Province, China. Sinkhole 2013 (video) & (Map) 3. Florida Sinkhole, USA 2013 (video) & (map) Task 3 - What seems to be the relationship between the three places above and the existence of limestone? Write your answer on the worksheet. Task 4 - Watch the video to the right about how limestone forms. Create a three or four sequence cartoon to show the formation of limestone and label it to show the features you would see today. Use the worksheet outline to the right to help you. Task 5 - Sinkhole Formation. Click on the link below to watch a basic 4 stage sequence of sink hole formation. Now, create your own A4 annotated diagram to show the formation / making of a sinkhole. Task 6 - **Optional Task - Sinkhole Model* You will be designing and making a model of a sinkhole. Use this A3 Planning Sheet to start your preparation for the next lesson. |
Source http://www.tutor2u.net/geography/blog/sinkholes-uncovered
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