Moving Mountains
One paradox of geology is that weathering a mountain down can actually make it rise higher. Scientists have learned of this peculiar feedback process only in recent years, and the St. Elias Erosion/tectonics Project (STEEP) team is at the forefront of understanding how climate and the movements of Earth’s crust interact to build towering peaks. In this feature video, meet geologists of every stripe collaborating on STEEP in Alaska’s St. Elias Range, one of the most rapidly growing mountain ranges in the world.
Exploring In-depth: The Scientific Method
Research scientists use the Scientific Method to investigate the natural world. This feature is a good illustration of the how scientists collaborate to collect data that will help better understand how mountains build.
(More about the Scientific Method)
Class Discussion
Establish Prior Knowledge
Review with students how mountains form. If necessary, direct them to this web site: http://library.thinkquest.org/17701/high/tectonics/ptconv.html
Discuss some of the factors that cause mountains to erode. Tell students that in the video they are about to see, scientists are collaborating to collect data that will help them understand how weathering and erosion can actually contribute to mountain building.
Exploration
Before watching the video have students read the synopsis and use the interactive to explore the St. Elias Range. Ask students to take notes while they are watching the video about the scientists involved in the project and the data each is collecting. Have students view the Feature. Use the following to guide a class discussion.
Wrap-Up
Describe how scientists think that erosion can aid in mountain building