Becoming Geologists for the day

This Tuesday the Year 13 Earth Science class went on a trip to Maukatia/Māori Bay at Muriwai. We went to become Geologists for the day by visiting one of the many volcanic features scattered throughout Te Wao nui ā Tiriwa, the Waitākere Ranges. 

Because rocks can't talk, Geologists have to search for clues hidden within them to solve very complicated puzzles. The puzzle that students had to solve is how the gigantic Waitākere volcano formed the volcanic features neat Muriwai in the last 20 million years.

Students identified pillow lavas in the cliff face, used geological principles, pretended being deep-sea burrowing worms to interpret the trace fossils found. The students had an excellent day learning outside the classroom and all gained a new appreciation for rocks.

Now back in the classroom the research continues as they try and put the final pieces of the puzzle together. A special thanks to Ms Brown and Ms Taylor for supporting the trip. 

• Mr R Stephen