Geology

At Great Sand Dunes, geology comes alive. Every day, sand grains are moving—bouncing, avalanching, flying through the air, or flowing in a stream. Every day, a little more sand erodes from the surrounding mountains and is carried in water or blown by the wind toward the dunes. And every day, scientists move closer to unraveling the many geologic mysteries of the dunes—how they have been formed, how old they are, and how they change over time.... (continue)

Lesson Plans
• All Sand Grains, Great and Small - Students will be introduced to the concept of natural sorting and learn that the sand dunes are made up of different types and sizes of sand.
• Magnetic Sand? - Students will understand that sand is made up of different minerals—one being magnetite, a compound containing iron.
• Sand Density - Students will understand material density as it relates to water and sedimentary rocks.