 |
 |
 |
|
Subject
Science
Language Arts
Fine Arts
Objectives
The student will:
- Name the four different types of hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park.
- List the distinguishing characteristics of each of the four types of hydrothermal features with 80% accuracy.
- Act out the water cycle of a hydrothermal feature without words, using only creative movements and sounds.
Materials
Hydrothermal Identification Cards
Background
Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features would not exist without the necessary ingredients of an abundant water supply, a source of heat, and a plumbing system. Snow and rain slowly seep into the ground through cracks and fissures. Deep in the Earth, this water encounters heat from underlying volcanic rock. The water becomes superheated and begins to rise back through the thermal feature’s plumbing system. As hot water travels, it dissolves some of the silica in the surrounding bedrock. While in solution underground, the silica coats and strengthens the walls of the plumbing system.
Four different types of hydrothermal features exist in Yellowstone: hot springs, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles. Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal feature. A hot spring has an open plumbing system and the superheated water is able to rise freely to the surface. Superheated water cools as it reaches the surface and is replaced by cooler water from below. This convection prevents water from reaching temperatures high enough to trigger a geyser eruption.
Geysers are hot springs with tight places, or constrictions, in their plumbing that prevent water from circulating freely to the surface. Although the water’s temperature may be much greater than the surface boiling point, the surrounding pressure of the overlying rock and water prevent the water within the system from boiling. As the superheated water rises, steam forms. The steam expands as it nears the top of the water column until the bubbles are too large and numerous to pass through the tight spots. The steam bubbles begin to move about violently and eventually lift water through the constriction. This instantly lowers the pressure within the system. Much of the water flashes into steam, which forces the remaining water out of the geyser’s vent.
A fumarole, or steam vent, is the hottest hydrothermal feature in Yellowstone National Park. The water in a fumarole’s plumbing is limited. The water converts to steam before it reaches the surface. The result is the emergence of escaping gases.
Mudpots are acidic hot springs with a limited water supply. Some microorganisms use hydrogen sulfide gas as an energy source and help to convert the gas to sulfuric acid. This acid chemically decomposes the surrounding rock into clay, thus creating a mud bath. Various gases escape, causing the mud to bubble. Mudpot activity varies with the season
Discussion Points for Students
What hydrothermal features exist in Yellowstone? What is the primary source of the water in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features? Describe the water cycle that exists within a hydrothermal feature. Describe the characteristics of different hydrothermal features.
Procedure
The instructor will:
- Cut out and copy enough Hydrothermal Feature Cards to supply one card for every four students in the class.
- Explain to the students that four different types of hydrothermal features exist in Yellowstone. Write the features on the blackboard.
- Share the information in the background section on the four different types of hydrothermal features.
- Ask students to name characteristics of each type of feature and list each characteristic below the feature’s name. Characteristics may include information about the plumbing system, water supply, water consistency, temperature, etc.
- Explain to the students that they are going to play a game of Hydrothermal Charades. Divide the students into groups of four persons and provide a Hydrothermal Feature Card to each group. Direct students to keep the contents of their cards secret from the other groups.
- Allow students time to study the information on their cards.
- Direct students to use only creative movements and sounds (no words) to demonstrate the nature of their particular feature and allow students time to rehearse the representation of their feature, out of view from the other groups.
- Have students take turns performing their charade before the other groups.
- Direct the viewing groups to attempt to identify which hydrothermal feature is being portrayed and explain the reasons for their selections. Performing students should respond by shaking or nodding their heads.
Assessment
Hydrothermal Feature Charade Rubric
Resources
Yellowstone National Park Formal Education Branch, Division of Interpretation. 2004. Expedition: Yellowstone! Yellowstone Association.
Yellowstone National Park. 2004. Yellowstone Resources and Issues. Mammoth Hot Springs: Division of Interpretation, Yellowstone National Park.
|
|
 |
|
|
National Science Standards for Grades 5-8
NS.5-8.4 Earth and space science
National Language Arts Standards for Grades 5-8
NL-ENG.K-12.3 Evaluation strategies
NL-ENG.K-12.6 Applying knowledge
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
| This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.0307709 |
 |
| Funding for this trip was provided by generous grants to the Yellowstone Park Foundation. |
|
|
