So with all this wondering about what is going on below the surface (even here in Chicago), we turned to some research to help us figure out what's going on below the ground, as we looked at some mining pictures and videos. Here's what we figured out:
We began thinking about what is below the surface is impacting what's above the surface, and we began thinking about various rock types and how they respond to heat! Mrs. Brinza ordered some rock samples, and we saw what happened with these rocks!
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We're seeing a whole bunch of things:
1. Some rocks are certainly softer than others.
2. When we heat rocks, they begin to act like liquids, so we think that rocks can absolutely melt! We figured out that when rocks begin to move and behave like liquids, this term is called creep! More heat = more creep! So the deeper you go, the bedrock creeps more!
1. Some rocks are certainly softer than others.
2. When we heat rocks, they begin to act like liquids, so we think that rocks can absolutely melt! We figured out that when rocks begin to move and behave like liquids, this term is called creep! More heat = more creep! So the deeper you go, the bedrock creeps more!