Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Effect Of Interactive Computer Animations On Introductory Geology Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Mountain Building Processes, Michelle (Michelle Alicia) Malone

WWU Graduate School Collection

The use of computer animations to help students visualize processes they cannot observe directly is becoming more widespread in geoscience classrooms, but few studies have formally assessed the effectiveness of these technological aids as learning tools. This research project evaluated the effect of interactive computer animations on undergraduate introductory geology students' understanding of mountain building processes. The study focused on introductory geology students’ misconceptions about the formation of mountains. With the assistance of Flash programmers, an online interactive web activity was developed. This tool was aimed at reducing misconceptions, and included activities related to plate tectonics, isostasy, erosion and rock …

A Sedimentary Core Analysis Of Late Pleistocene To Recent Sediments In A Portion Of Bellingham Bay, Washington, James T. Lowe

WWU Graduate School Collection

Sub-bottom profiles and core sampling indicate that a trough-like depression below the bay near South Bellingham is a Pleistocene erosional paleotopographic surface sloping bayward from the uplandds to the east. A series of Late Pleistocene glacial till and glaciomarine deposits overlie the erosional surface and fill the depression. The glacial deposits are overlain by Recent sand and mud deposits which are rich in wood fragments and shell materials.

Bellingham Bay is basin-shaped with a deep narrow trough to the west. The Pleistocene basement is generally structureless and conforms to the bay bottom. Several trough shaped depressions which are overlain by …

Clay Mineralogy Of Late Pleistocene Sequences In Northwestern Washington And Southwestern British Columbia, Michael Arthur Hepp

WWU Graduate School Collection

Pleistocene clay-bearing sediments of parts of northwestern Wash­ington and southwestern British Coliambia were studied in an attempt to determine the clay mineral composition of these units; the origin of these clay minerals; and any correlation between clay mineral composi­tion, sediment type, location, or probable geologic history of the sediments. The Pleistocene stratigraphy of the area is fairly well known, although in some specific locations the stratigraphy has not been determined. Recorded work in the region dates back to Dawson (1887). The units studied range in age from the greater than 50,000 year old Double Bluff Drift to Holocene (Recent) river …