Physical Geology Lab Manual
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 178
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 178
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$75.00 USD
Ebook
$70.00 USD
This geology lab book provides a hands-on introduction to important concepts in Earth science through a series of activities and investigations. The book begins with foundational topics such as mathematical conversions, scientific notation, the Earth’s internal structure, and plate tectonics. It then moves through the identification and study of minerals, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, as well as topographic maps, earthquakes, and geologic structures. These topics give students opportunities to build their understanding of Earth’s materials and processes through practical laboratory activities.
The second unit focuses more on Earth’s surface and the processes that shape it. Students explore streams, groundwater, glaciers, deserts, and coastal processes, with activities involving stream gradients, groundwater problems, glacial features, desert landforms, beach sands, and shorelines. One of the book’s strengths is its organization around specific laboratory activities, which makes the material practical and activity-focused. Overall, based on the table of contents, the book offers a broad introduction to geology while emphasizing observation, identification, measurement, and hands-on learning.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
UNIT 1
Lab 1 Introduction
Part 1 – Mathematical Conversions
Part 2 – The Earth's Interior
Earth Internal Structure
Lab 1: Activities
Materials
Activity 1.1 – Mathematical Conversions
American to Metric Conversions
Scientific Notation
Rounding and Significant Figures
Activity 1.2 – The Earth’s Interior
Activity 1.3 – Graphing
Lab 2 Plate Tectonics
Introduction
Lab 2: Activities
Materials
Activity 2.1 – Plate Tectonics
Part 1: Scientific Specialty Maps
Part 2: Plate Boundaries Review
Part 3: Identifying Types of Plate Boundaries
Activity 2.2 – Age of the Seafloor
Activity 2.3 – Hotspots
Lab 3 Minerals
Introduction
Physical Properties
Color
Hardness
Streak
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Specific Gravity
Special Properties
Lab 3: Activities
Materials
Activity 3.1 – Identifying Minerals
Mineral Identification
Lab 4 Igneous Rocks
Introduction
Texture
Mineral Composition
Lab 4: Activities
Materials
Activity 4.1 – Identifying Igneous Rocks
Lab 5 Topographic Maps
Introduction
Construction of a Topographic Map
Lab 5: Activities
Materials
Activity 5.1 – Construction of a Topographic Map
Activity 5.2 – Topographic Profiles
Lab 6 Sedimentary Rocks
Introduction
Procedure
A Few Things to Keep in Mind During Lab
A Few Words about Hydrochloric Acid
Oolites
Mudstone vs Shale
Sedimentary Rock Identification Table
Lab 6: Activities
Materials
Activity 6.1 – Identifying Sedimentary Rocks
Lab 7 Metamorphic Rocks
Introduction
Textures of Metamorphic Rocks
Foliated Textures
Non-foliated Textures
Lab 7: Activities
Materials
Activity 7.1 – Identifying Metamorphic Rocks
Lab 8 Earthquakes
Earthquakes
Determining an Earthquake Epicenter
Determining Earthquake Magnitude
Lab 8: Activities
Materials
Activity 8.1 – Earthquakes
Lab 9 Geologic Structures
Part 1 – Folds and Faults
Geologic Structures: Notes and Illustrations
Part 2 – Geologic Map
Orientation of Structures
Lab 9: Activities
Materials
Activity 9.1 – Analyzing Faults
Activity 9.2 – Interpreting Block Diagrams
Activity 9.3 – Geologic Maps
UNIT 2
Lab 10 Streams
Information for Studying Streams on Maps
Measuring Stream Gradient on Maps
Measuring Stream Gradient on Google Earth Pro
Producing a (High) Estimate of Stream Gradient
Recognizing and Interpreting Drainage Patterns
The Parts of an Old Stream
Lab 10: Activities
Materials
Activity 10.1 – Stream Gradient and Profile
Lab 11 Groundwater
Groundwater
Groundwater: General Terminology
Aquifers: General Terminology
Caves and Karst Topography
Lab 11: Activities
Materials
Activity 11.1 – Porosity and Permeability
Introduction
Part I
Procedure
Part II
Procedure
Calculations
Part I
Calculations
Part II
Summary and Application
Activity 11.2 – Karst Topography
Activity 11.3: Groundwater Problems
Lab 12 Glaciers
Landforms Associated with Glaciation
Features of Continental Glaciation (Figure 12.1)
Features of Alpine Glaciation (Figures 12.2)
Lab 12: Activities
Materials
Activity 12.1 – Glacial Features
Lab 13 Deserts
Part 1 – Landforms Associated with the Arid Basin-and-Range Topography of the Western United States
Part 2 – Types of Dunes
Lab 13: Activities
Materials
Activity 13.1 – Desert Features
Lab 14 Coastal Processes
Part 1 – Beach Sands
Part 2 – Shorelines
General Shoreline Features
Sea-Level Changes: Eustatic, Local, and Regional
Emergent Shorelines: Causes and Characteristics
Submergent Shorelines: Causes and Characteristics
Lab 14: Activities
Materials
Activity 14.1 – Beach Sands
Sand Sample 1
Sand Sample 2
Sand Sample 3
Sand Sample 4
Activity 14.2 – Shorelines