[Julie] Hi I’m Ranger Julie and this is Ranger Annie.
and we’re at Mount Rainier National Park. We’re standing in front
of the Nisqually River bed, which is really rocky, and the
you can see Mount Rainier in the background
still covered in snow and ice.
We’re really excited that you are joining us here today to learn more
about science and to become a Junior Scientist yourself.
[Annie] There are many different kinds of scientists at Mount Rainier.
Some study plants. Others study animals, and some study rocks.
Today we’re going to focus on geologists, scientists that study
rocks. All scientists learn about the world around them
by making observations and asking questions.
An observation is something that you see, hear
smell, feel, or
taste. Geologists learn about what
happens in the past by making observations about rocks. Let’s
practice our geology skills by making observations
about rocks at Mount Rainier.
[Julie] Tell someone near you what you see
in this rock. How do you think it might feel?
Ranger Annie,
what does this rock remind you of?
[Annie] I think it looks kind of like a sponge with all the little holes.
[Julie] I wonder if this rock could float?
[Annie] I wonder if all the white specks in it are smaller rocks?
[Julie] What questions do you have about this rock? Share them
with someone near you.
The holes and minerals inside of this rock,
tell us that it cooled from melted
rock or lava, that cooled outside of a volcano.
Since we find these rocks here at Mount Rainier, they tell us
that Mount Rainier is in fact a volcano.
Layers of lava and ash
at Mount Rainier tell us that it has erupted many times in the past.
Since we know that there is a magma chamber
with melted rock underneath Mount Rainier, we know that it
is an active volcano that could erupt again in the future. Scientists
are not seeing signs that it will happen anytime soon, but
based on the past, we know some of the things that might occur
during an eruption. [Annie] We made a song to explore
the different parts of a volcanic eruption. Will you join us?
This is a repeat after me song.
[Yelling] A volcano! A volcano!
Some sticky, sticky lava! Some sticky, sticky lava!
Ash and gas and cinders! Ash and gas and cinders!
All the ground, all the ground is shaking! All the ground, all the ground is shaking!
That was really nothing! That was really nothing!
We can do it faster! We can do it faster!
A volcano! A volcano! Some sticky sticky lava! Some sticky sticky lava!
Ash and gas and cinders! Ash and gas and cinders! All the ground
all the ground is shaking! All the ground, all the ground is shaking!
[Annie] All right everybody thanks for joining us at Mount Rainier to
learn about rocks and volcanoes. [Julie] Visit our website to learn more
about volcanoes and create your own eruption at home.
Have a great day everyone! [Annie] Bye!