This lab can be opened as an html (http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/science/virtual_labs/ES12/ES12.html) or you can download it as SWF and open that file.

1. If you use the SWF file please consider that this is an .swf file, which is a Flash file. Your computer will download it. You can then double click it and it may open. If you do not have an application to open or play it you need to download one (Flash Player is an example). I personally use a Mac and had best luck with the player called elmedia.
2. You are responsible for covering all topics and questions covered in the lab instructions found on blackboard in your lab report. No real instructions appear in this application (html or .swf file) so I will attempt to help you a bit in what to do afterward to complete the lab.

1. Click on the computer in the video and you will have an option to look at field notes or email. Next click on field notes. This will tell you the type of layers you are looking at on ‘Dig 1’ based on the symbols. You will note you have some igneous layers. As you click through the field notes you will see various fossils and their respective age ranges. Take some notes here. You will have to identify fossils in sedimentary layers. Number your layers by dragging the tag looking feature that gives a number to each layer automatically. Drag these to the far left of the computer even to get them to stick.
2. Now you are ready to take rock samples for radiometric or absolute aging. For this you will drag the hammer to each sedimentary layer. You will see rocks appear in your sample box.
3. Next you need to send your rock samples to the lab for radiometric or absolute aging. To do this click on the jeep in the top left. The scientist will roll down her window. Then you drag each rock sample over to the window. Then you click the jeep again and she will tell you to check your email for the data. You can check your email by clicking on the computer again to record radiometric ages of each igneous layer.
4. Now we need to acquire the relative ages. To do this we need to analyze fossils. Fossils will only occur in sedimentary layers not the igneous (so Dig 1 will only have 2 fossils). You will grab the magnifying glass and drag it to the appropriate layers and the fossils will appear. Be patient with this part. Compare the fossils to those in your field note to understand the age ranges. Now you have completed the relative aging of the layers!
5. You have to complete this for 3 dig sites. To access the next dig click the reset button.
6. Record ages through relative and radiometric or absolute aging for each dig and assemble them in a table. Answer all questions in the blackboard instructions through a formal lab report (abstract, intro, materials and methods, and results and conclusions).

– Earth Science, 15th edition, by Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis Tasa. Pearson/PrenticeHall, 2018.

Ch – 7,11-12