Name: _____________________________________

Date: ____________________________

Geologist Needed!
As we have learned, geologists are very important in letting us
know how the world around us works. Geologists study the Earths
different processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides,
floods and more, all to help keep us safe. Whether it is to find oil and
natural gas, or to design safe building codes or even to find the
minerals we use in our everyday lives, geologist are always at the
heart of these operations.
Task: You are a geologist working for the USGS. A mining company
gives you 3 cross section maps of land. The mining company is looking
for rocks suitable for uses in homes. In a written report, the mining
company wants to know for each cross section:
What rock types and or feature(s) are present?
Which rock type is shown (Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Igneous)
and how each cross section formed.
The uses of some of the rocks present.
At least one example of where you could possibly find these
cross sections, if you could find them, in New York State today.
** You will need to use pages 2-7 of your ESRT to help you answer
the questions above. Use the link below to help create your written
report. http://newportoregon.gov/dept/pln/documents/Applications-&-

Forms/PDF
%20checklists/Geologic_Hazards_Handouts/Guidelines_for_Preparing_Geol
ogic_Reports.pdf

Cross Section 1
Cross Section 3

Cross Section 2

I will

be looking at the following criteria:

How well you understand the different rock types and features.
How well you can interpret/read the ESRT data.
Organization and completeness of your report.

Rubric
Category
Written
Report

4
Report was
done
following the
template
and all parts
are included.
Well written
with no
grammatical
errors.

3
Report was
done
following
the
template
and all
parts are
included.
Well
written, but
there are
minimal
grammatica
l errors.

2
Report
wasnt done
following
the
template
and parts
are missing.
Writing
ability is
lacking, and
there are
some
grammatica
l errors.

Ability to read
ESRT

Demonstrate
s clear
ability on
how to read

Demonstrat
es
some ability
on how to

Demonstrat
es minimal
ability on
how to read

1
Report is
not done,
or done
not
following
the
template.
Shows
inability to
write.
Extensive
grammatic
al errors
throughout
the report.
Doesnt
demonstra
te any
ability on

ESRT by
successfully
interpreting
all of the
illustrations.
Understandin
g of Content

Instruction/
Prompt

read ESRT
by being
able to read
some of the
illustrations.

ESRT by
being able
to read very
few
illustrations.

how to
read ESRT.
Cant
interpret
any of the
illustration
s.
Shows
Shows
Shows
Cant
exceptional
mediocre
minimal
demonstra
understandi
understandi understandi te
ng of
ng of
ng of
knowledge
content by
content by
content.
of content
being able to being able
Doesnt
when
answer all
to answer
answer all
answering
the bullet
most of the the bullet
the bullet
point
bullet point point
point
questions in questions in questions in questions.
detail and
detail and
detail and
Answers
uses learned uses some
uses very
dont
vocabulary
learned
few
reflect
in
vocabulary
vocabulary
learned
responses.
in
words in
content.
responses.
responses.
Doesnt
use unit
vocabulary.
Student
Student
Student
Student
followed all
followed
followed
didnt
the
most of the very few of
follow any
instructions
instructions. the
of the
required.
instructions. instruction
s.