Further Explorations of Science

Never Stop Exploring

I love to travel and see the topics we discuss in class come to life. Check out some of my recent adventures and their real-world application to what we learn in class.

Remember, science is everywhere we look. You do not need to travel to the highest mountain or the deepest ocean to experience it. It is all around you.

Italy

Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii:

The only active volcano in mainland Europe. It's most famous eruption was in 79 AD, which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although the last eruption was in 1944, it still represents a danger today to the surrounding cities, especially Naples.

2008

Australia

The 12 Apostles:

Limestone rocks off the coast of the Great Ocean Road. You can see how chemical weathering and erosion have formed these structures and continue to shape them over time.

2009

New Zealand

2009

Franz Josef Glacier:

Located in the Southern Alps, this glacier is 12 km long and experiences cycles of advancing and retreating. However, due to climate change scientists anticipate this glacier to retreat 5 km and lose 38% of its mass by 2100.

Skydiving - New Zealand

2009

Decreasing Temp. with an Increase in Altitude:

At an altitude of 12,000 ft the atmosphere is

much colder than the surface temperatures on this summer morning. This is why we are wearing gloves, hats, long pants and sleeves.

Great Exuma

Hamburger Beach, Exuma:

The beaches in Great Exuma have been shaped over the years by coastal and wind erosion.

2010

Costa Rica

2011

Tropical Rainforest:

Meandering river found in this topical climate. The weathering , erosion, and deposition occurring here constantly shapes the landscape.

Vermont

Lake Champlain:

A natural freshwater lake bordering the U.S. and Canada. A thunderstorm is seem rolling over the lake, with a clear visible border of the front leading through.

2015

Adirondack Mountains

Lake George:

These mountains are made of old rocks but are relatively new, geologically speaking. Although weathering and erosion constantly take place, these mountains rise faster than they erode.

2015

Montauk

Beach Erosion:

Montauk experiences constant coastal erosion of sediment, resulting in steep cliffs and bluffs.

2015

Colorado

2016

Pikes Peak:

The highest summit in the southern range of the Rocky Mountains (14,114 f). With an average elevation of 6,800 feet, Colorado has the highest altitude of all 50 states. Due to it's high elevation, the air here is very dry and there is less air pressure which can cause altitude sickness to travelers.

Scotland

2016

The Highlands:

Primary composed of ancient rocks, the bedrock here dates back to Cambrian and and Precambrian times. Believed to have been has high as the Himalayas at once time, these ancient mountains have undergone periods of weathering and erosion from ice and water, wearing down these great mountains to the sloping hills seen today.

French Alps

Alpine Glaciers:

Sitting high in the valley of the Alps are alpine glaciers. At these high elevations temperatures are cold enough for snow and ice to form, creating these glacial valleys.

2016-2017

Malta

The Blue Lagoon:

An inlet carved from surrounding limestone, shaped by weathering and erosion of the Mediterranean Sea. The Blue Lagoon is found off of the island of Comino, in Malta.