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Foam overflows from a beaker after a chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda, showing the effects of a low viscosity eruption during a volcanic eruption demonstration Tuesday afternoon as part of the department of geology and geography's Earth Sciences Week celebrations.(Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

Earth Science Week celebrated with demonstrations

Volcano fizzles using Mentos candy, soda

By: Matt Draus/Staff Reporter

Posted: 10/16/08

Earth Science Week is a national week for the study of earth science.

The geology/geography department hosted demonstrations Wednesday afternoon to show a little bit of what earth science is.

The demonstrations were done outside of the Physical Science Building.

The main demonstration was a miniature volcano. This was shown by putting Mentos candy in a two-liter bottle of soda. After Mentos was put into the bottle, the soda instantly started fizzing out like lava out of a volcano.

Another demonstration was breaking open sedimentary rocks to show what was inside of a rock that is millions of years old. The Geology Science Club in Guthrie found the rocks.

Geodes are sedimentary rocks that have crystal formations, usually made of quartz, inside.

The sedimentary rocks were available for people to purchase as souvenirs.

David Viertel, a geology and geography professor, showed how a Geographic Information System works.

"A G.I.S system is a broad tool for geography to show where and how things are connected to the earth," Viertel said.

The event also had a game for people to play. It dealt with guessing how many dinosaur eggs were in the container.

At the end of the demonstrations, the person with the closest answer to the correct number won a T-shirt.

Student T.J. Longtin said the demonstration of the volcano reminded him of his days in grade school science when the teachers would do a volcano eruption demonstration.

This was the first time the department hosted demonstrations.

Geology professor Diane Burns said her purpose was to give interest to students about earth science.

"The department is hoping to make the demonstrations an annual thing," Burns said. "For the first one, the turnout was promising."

Matt Draus can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.