Friday, May 24, 2013

Module #21

Using the internet, you are to research the effects of El Nino or La Nina on a specific region of the earth. 
  1. Research an El Nino or La Nina event that has occurred somewhere in the world.
  2. Using a specific year, describe how El Nino or La Nina changed the normal weather conditions in the region.
  3. Use actual data to prove your points.
  4. Include human, economic and environmental costs when researching the affects of the weather changes.
  5. What can humans do to prepare themselves for this cyclical event?
  6. How can El Nino or La Nina events be predicted in the future?

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Module #19

1. Choose one of the following cities from the list below (each student must choose a different city), and explain what factors (LOWERN) affect their climate the most. For example, Guelph's climate is mostly influenced by latitude, proximity to the Great Lakes and Winds and Air masses. Guelph's climate is not affected by elevation, relief or ocean currents in any way. Provide explanation for each factor given using specific terms and refer to specific bodies of water and mountain chains if applicable.

London, England                             Sydney, Australia

Paris, France                                     Sao Paulo, Brazil

Vancouver, BC                                 Madrid, Spain

Los Angeles, CA                              Moscow, Russia

New York, NY                                 Nairobi, Kenya

Tokyo, Japan                                     San Jose, Costa Rica

Hong Kong, China                            Berlin, Germany

Cairo, Egypt                                       Halifax, Nova Scotia

Dallas, Texas                                      Alice Springs, Australia

Rome, Italy                                         Miami, Florida




Friday, May 3, 2013

Module #17



1. Take a stance on the Alberta Tar Sands Debate. Are you for the continued development of the Alberta tar sands? or are you against it? Write a series of paragraphs that provide evidence to support your stance on this topic (minimum of 250 words). Include links and references to external websites (ideally university or government sites). Your stance should clear, and you must provide specific examples and facts that back-up your claims. This is major issue within Canada, and we will be discussing further in our final unit of the course as it directly related to Global Climate Change. 

2. Comment on at least two other posts from your peers. Describe why you agree or disagree with their stance. Let the debate begin!

Resources


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Module #16


1. Choose one natural disaster that involved flooding (other than the Red River flood in 1997) OR report on one UNIQUE fluvial (river or lake) system in the world.

Option #1: Include the geographic region, the major causes of the flood and the environmental and economic impacts. 

Option #2: Include the geographic location, the features of the system, wildlife, hydrology, etc.

2. Include a link to a photograph, map of location and a youtube video.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Module #14


1. Choose one glacier (alpine or continental)in the world. Describe the type of glacier it is, the rate of ablation, the country it is located in and at least 3 interesting facts about this particular glacier. Provide any and all sites that you got your information from.

2. Include a link to a photograph, map of location or video of the glacier.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Module #12

1. Find one interactive website that explains the anatomy and structure of volcanoes. Post your link in your response. Be sure that this site is useful, relevant and reputable (i.e. government or university site).


2. Research one famous volcanic eruption that has occurred in Earth's history. List and briefly describe the following in your post:


Where? When? How? What? 


3. Find one video that would be a good resource to supplement the information above. (include the link)

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Module #11


1. Report on one major earthquake (and tsunami?) that has occurred in the last 100 years. Describe the type of plate boundary, type of fault, rating on the Richter scale and number of deaths. Explain whether you think this region was prepared or not prepared for an earthquake of this magnitude. 

2. Include a link to one interesting and relevant video that students can watch to learn more about this major earthquake.

3. Watch two of the videos posted by  your classmates and provide useful comments on each.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Module #10


1. Choose one type of plate boundary (divergent, convergent, or transform). Choose one specific example of where this type of boundary exists (i.e. San Andreas Fault - California, USA) and complete the following: (Do not use the same example as any of your classmates)

a. Describe the motions of the plates involved at this boundary. Include the direction of movement of the plates and the rate at which they are moving

b. Describe some of the natural hazards / disasters that have occurred in recent history at this boundary. Include information on the geology of the event, the number of people killed, damage and any other relevant of interesting information.

2. Provide 2-3 useful websites (reliable sources) that provide useful and relevant information about this boundary.

3. Comment on at least 2 other postings from classmates. 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Module #9

1. What is your favourite rock or mineral?Why?
2. Where would you commonly find this rock or mineral? 
3. What are the characteristics of this rock or mineral?
4. Provide at least 3 links to websites that are good resources to learn more about this rock or mineral.

*Please choose a rock or mineral that no one else in the class has selected already.


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Module #8


1. Find one useful, relevant and interesting website that would be helpful for sometime who wanted to learn more about the structure and composition of the Earth. Include the url of the site, and provide a 50-100 word critique of this website (i.e. annotated bibliography). Be sure to highlight the pros and cons of this site, and comment on it's validity (i.e. is it a unviersity site, government, or some guy in his basement?). 

2. Open and view at least three other sites posted by others in the class.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Module #7


Pick one geological time period or epoch (i.e. Jurrassic) from any of the geological time periods. List and describe three major biological events and three major geological events that occurred during that time period. Provide an explanation and synopsis of one of these events. Be sure to provide a list of websites / sources that you used.

Comment on at least one other posting from a classmate.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Module #5


2. Discussion: Choose one other country from the list below that is struggling to preserve their tropical rainforest ecosystem. List and briefly describe problems, major concerns and possible solutions to their crisis (in 200 words or less). Provide specific examples and terminology if possible. Comment on at least one other person's post.

Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Peru, Indonesia, Australia, Colombia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, Philipines, Thailand, Cameroon, Ecuador, India, Laos, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Mynamar and Malaysia. 

NOTE: Each student must choose a different country from the above list.Be sure to email me to let me know what country you want to research.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MR.DURK:

In order to help Mr. Durk keep track of who said what, please have the name that appears with your post be your first name and the first initial of your last name (John S) OR your first and last name (John Smith). If you had chosen something different upon registration, please go to your settings and make the change. Thank you.