Geology: Understanding Our Dynamic Planet with Merge EDU

Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Mountain ranges. Students know these things exist, but understanding why they happen requires visualizing processes that occur deep underground—processes no one can see in real life.

Until now.

Journey from Crust to Core

Welcome to Terraforming the Earth! In this topic card in the Merge Explorer app, students explore the anatomy of our planet and discover how Earth's internal processes create phenomena like volcanoes and earthquakes.

Terraforming Earth

Welcome to Terraforming Earth! In this card we’ll look at different aspects of the “anatomy” of the Earth, and how some processes create things like volcanoes and earthquakes! We’ll take you on a trip from the Crust to the Core and back out again. Hang on!

Merge Explorer

Through four immersive experiences—Journey to the Core, Plates, Subduction, and Volcanology—students take a journey from the crust to the core and back out again.

Using the Merge Cube with iPads, Chromebooks, or tablets, students can:

• Explore Earth's layers and internal structure
• See how tectonic plates fit together
• Visualize earthquakes and volcanoes around the globe
• View subduction zones in action
• Understand how volcanoes form and erupt

These hands-on interactions help students grasp cause-and-effect relationships that diagrams can't fully convey.

Journey to the Core!

The part of the Earth we live on is only a small percentage of the entire planet. In this module we’ll visualize what the rest of the planet looks like from the inside!

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Plates, are a burning thing...

The floating plates on the Earth’s Mantle can be very large. This module shows an awesome visualization of the Earth broken down by the plates that make up the Crust. Tap on one to isolate it, and see if you can name them all!

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The Art of Subduction

The Earth’s Crust is made up of lots of different pieces that float on top of the Upper Mantle. These “tectonic plates” do one of three things - converge (move towards each other), diverge (move away from each other), or transform (move laterally). This module shows you an example of converging tectonic plates and a subduction zone.

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We Lava Volcanology

When tectonic plates move, sometimes they allow magma to push its way to the surface, creating a volcano. Volcanoes come in different shapes and sizes, and the anatomy of a volcano can change depending on how it was formed. In this module we’re going to take a look at an Ash-Cinder volcano.

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Aligned to Earth and Space Science Standards

Terraforming the Earth comes with activity plans for grades 2-12, aligned to NGSS and state standards. Each fully editable activity plan provides:

• Guided essential investigation questions
• Grade-appropriate vocabulary and context
• Multiple assessment options
• Extension ideas

Everything you need to bring Earth's systems to life.

Why Geology Matters

Understanding Earth's structure isn't just academic—it helps students understand real world issues they may face throughout their lives:

• Why natural disasters occur in certain regions
• How scientists predict earthquakes and eruptions
• Why Earth's surface continues to change
• How our planet sustains life

Shaping the Earth: Explore Horseshoe Bend with Merge EDU

Not every school can visit a canyon or dig up fossils. But every classroom can explore these concepts with Merge EDU to help make geology tangible and help students visualize large-scale changes to the Earth’s surface.

Merge EDUMerge EDU

Hang on tight and explore Earth's dynamic systems with the Terraforming Earth activity in the Merge Explorer app. Start your free trial at trymerge.com.