Activities

Explore the hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences designed to deepen your understanding of the fascinating relationship between diamonds, mantle geodynamics, and the deep carbon cycle. These activities aim to engage students, educators, and geology enthusiasts by bringing Earth’s hidden processes to life. Whether you’re interested in volcanic eruptions, diamond formation, or the journey of carbon through Earth’s mantle, these activities provide an immersive way to learn.

1. Simulating Diamond Formation: Create Your Own “Mantle Diamond”

Overview:
In this activity, participants will simulate how diamonds form deep within the mantle under extreme pressure and temperature. While real diamonds require millions of years to form, this experiment uses sugar crystals to illustrate the concept of carbon crystallization.

Materials Needed:

  • Sugar
  • Hot water
  • String and pencil
  • Glass jar

 

Steps:

  • Dissolve sugar in hot water to create a supersaturated solution.
  • Tie a string to a pencil and place it across the top of the jar with the string hanging inside the solution.
  • Leave the jar undisturbed for a few days and observe as sugar crystals form along the string, representing how carbon atoms bond under pressure to form diamonds.
2. Explore the Carbon Cycle through a Board Game

Overview:
This interactive board game allows players to explore how carbon travels through Earth’s layers—ocean, atmosphere, crust, and mantle—mimicking the decade-deep carbon cycle. Players encounter real-world scenarios like volcanic eruptions, tectonic shifts, and fossil fuel extraction, learning how each event impacts the carbon cycle.

Objective:
The goal was to keep the carbon cycle balanced and reach a “stable climate state.” Each player takes on the role of a geoscientist, managing Earth’s natural carbon reserves.

Game Highlights:

  • Earn points for capturing carbon in rocks and sediments.
  • Trigger eruptions to release carbon back into the atmosphere.
  • Face challenges like human activities disrupting the carbon balance.
3. Mapping Kimberlite Eruptions and Diamond Sources

Overview:
In this activity, participants will map the locations of kimberlite eruptions—rare volcanic events that carry diamonds from deep within the mantle to the surface. Using maps and geological data, students will discover how diamonds provide clues about the mantle’s composition.

What You’ll Learn:

  • How kimberlite eruptions transport diamonds.
  • Why certain regions, like South Africa and Canada, are rich in diamonds.
  • How these eruptions reveal information about carbon deep in the Earth.
4. Virtual Volcano Eruption Simulation

Overview:
Experience the power of volcanic eruptions in this virtual simulation, where you’ll trigger eruptions and see how carbon dioxide was released into the atmosphere. The simulation includes real-world volcanic examples and allows participants to measure CO₂ emissions before and after eruptions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand how volcanic eruptions impact the deep carbon cycle.
  • Explore the relationship between volcanic activity and climate regulation.
  • Predict future climate scenarios based on volcanic CO₂ emissions.
5. Build a 3D Model of the Mantle and Deep Carbon Cycle

Overview:
This creative activity involves building a 3D model that demonstrates how carbon moves through Earth’s layers—from the crust, down to the mantle, and back to the atmosphere via volcanic eruptions. Participants can use clay, cardboard, and recycled materials to bring the mantle to life.

Instructions:

  1. Create layered cross-sections of Earth’s crust, mantle, and core.
  2. Label carbon reservoirs (e.g., carbonates, diamonds, fossil fuels).
  3. Use arrows to illustrate the movement of carbon through tectonic activity and eruptions.

Objective:
Visualize how the deep carbon cycle works and understand the role of geological processes in maintaining Earth’s carbon balance.

6. Carbon Capture Technology Challenge: Mimic Nature’s Sequestration

Overview:
Inspired by the natural carbon storage process in the Earth’s mantle, this challenge tasks participants with designing a mini carbon capture device. Using materials like sponges, filters, and balloons, participants must build a system to “trap” carbon dioxide from the air.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The importance of geological carbon sequestration.
  • How human-made carbon capture technologies can help combat climate change.
  • How to replicate natural processes of carbon storage.
7. Field Trip: Visit a Volcanic Site or Geological Museum

Overview:
Take a guided field trip to a local volcanic site or geological museum to see igneous rocks, diamonds, and carbon-rich minerals up close. This hands-on experience brings classroom concepts to life, offering a firsthand look at how volcanic processes impact Earth’s deep carbon cycle.

Trip Highlights:

  • Explore rock samples formed during volcanic eruptions.
  • Learn about the connection between volcanic activity and carbon emissions.
  • Examine diamond specimens and discuss how they form deep within the mantle.
8. Classroom Debate: Can Volcanic CO₂ Counteract Human Emissions?

Overview:
Engage in a lively classroom debate about the role of volcanic CO₂ emissions. Participants will discuss whether volcanic activity can offset human-made emissions or if human impacts are overwhelming the natural carbon cycle.

Debate Topics:

  • Are volcanic emissions significant compared to fossil fuel emissions?
  • Can natural processes alone restore the carbon balance?
  • Should human intervention, like carbon capture, mimic volcanic carbon release?

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