Members
of the Manx Geological Survey recently performed geological experiments
for the young antiquarians of the Isle of Man Natural History and
Antiquarian Society. The experiments were aimed at explaining geological
phenomena such as plate tectonics, the development of faults, why
the Isle of Man is an island and the eruption of volcanoes, using
materials as diverse as beer and pudding!
Later this year we intend to make video clips of the
experiments which will be added to the website.
Ant
Wilkes and assistant perform a
live re-enactment of the eruption
of Mount Vesuvius.
Dave
Quirk simulates the earth’s crust
and mantle using several cans of
Guinness and a glass tank.
In
the tray on the left, the blancmange
has been compressed until it has developed folds,
as rocks do when continents collide.
In the tray on the right, the blancmange has
been stretched, allowing extensional faults to form.
