Released October 6, 2008
URBANA, Ill. - Why the earth shakes, why volcanoes erupt, and why glaciers advance and recede are some of the questions addressed by a new University of Illinois Extension website targeted to fifth through sixth graders.
"Shake, Rattle and Slide: The Work of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Glaciers" (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/earth/), is an interactive site that allows students to learn important information in an engaging manner.
"Earthquakes, volcanoes and glaciers are all powerful forces that work to shape our world," explained Duane Friend, a U of I Extension natural resources educator who helped develop the website.
"These forces have changed the world dramatically over time and are even at work today. You can explore this website to learn the amazing science behind earthquakes, volcanoes and glaciers. As part of that exploration, you will be able to build your own volcano, test the power of an earthquake and make a mountain with a glacier."
Also contributing to the website's development were Greg Stack, an Extension horticulture educator; Jane Scherer, Extension urban programs specialist and director of websites; and Bob Vaiden of the Illinois State Geological Survey.
"We really tried to use a lot of animation when developing the site," Friend explained. "We believe it helps when you can visualize what you are reading and hearing about. You can see how they actually work."
The website features cut-away drawings of the earth to demonstrate continental shifts and the effect of the earth's hot core on geographic features.
For students in the Midwest, the website has particular relevance as the New Madrid fault impacts much of the region.
"We definitely have the potential for earthquakes here, as we saw last spring," said Friend, referring to a tremor earlier this year.
"On the website, we include a visual that displays where earthquakes have occurred in the last hour, within the last day or week and their severity. This is a link to a service provided by the U.S. Geological Survey."
Friend noted that the website also covers glaciers which have had an important influence on the landscape of Illinois.
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http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news4518.html
Contacts: Duane Friend, (217) 243-7424
Bob Sampson, 217-244-0225, rsampson@uiuc.edu