Anthrosphere

From Wikipedia, "The anthrosphere / anthroposphere (sometimes also referred as technosphere) is that part of the environment that is made or modified by humans for use in human activities and human habitats. "

This landmark was created by Heinz Warneke in 1940, from a 13-ton block of Indiana Limestone.  The Nittany Lion, Penn State's mascot since 19077, was officially recognized when the statue was presented as a gift to the University in 1942 by the class of 1940.  It is located near the Nittany Lion Inn and the Recreation Building ("Rec Hall") at the Penn State University Park campus in State College, PA.

Nittany Lion Shrine

This Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) tree is part of the historic tree collection at Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA.  The tree is part of the Painter Tree Collection and planted some time between 1830 and 1873 by Jacob and Minshall Painter.  The fence was recently constructed around the base to prevent visitors from walking on the shallow root system of the tree, in hopes that minimal human interactions will increase the longevity of this plant specimen.

Tyler Arboretum's Cedar of Lebanon

Because of the underground coal mine fire in Centralia, PA, a 0.7 mile section of Route 61 was closed, and a new segment of Route 61 was created to detour drivers around the area of active burining.  The asphalt is currently buckled, cracked, and occasionally will have smoke billowing out, reminding visitors of the hazard burning below.

Detour of Route 61 in Centralia, PA

Glen Providence Park, the oldest park in Delaware County, PA, engages in streamside buffer plantings on Earth Day every year. These native trees, shrubs, ferns, and perennials, along with limestone blocks brought in from outside the area, help to stabilize the stream bank and control serious erosion. This project also creates a riparian buffer, improving wildlife habitat and water quality.

Glen Providence Park, Dealware County, PA

A view across the Monongahela River of exposed rock and soil on the slope of Mt. Washington.  Also visible are tracks for the incline, a mass-transit mode for the mountains.

Pittsburgh's Mt. Washington

From the Museum's website  --  The Earth & Mineral Sciences Museum at The Pennsylvania State University in State College is a unique mineral museum. The main gallery display includes displays of fine minerals such as azurite and "velvet" malachite from Bisbee, Arizona, and amazonite crystals from the Pikes' Peak, Colorado, area. The country's most extensive collection of paintings and sculpture depicting mining and related industries is on display in the Museum. 

Additional displays focus on plate tectonics and meteorological events.

The Museum is located on the first floor of the Deike Building at the Penn State University Park campus.  The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 9:30AM to 5:00PM, and admission is free.

   

EMS Museum and Art Gallery, Penn State University

Breakwater boulders near the beaches of Presque Isle in Erie.

Lake Erie Breakwaters

Antes Fort was once a colonial outpost in Lycoming County, near Williamsport. William Penn's agents had bought the land from Andaste Tribal Chief King Wi-daagh.  Wi-daagh realized that for the few trinkets he received in exchange for this sacred site, he had been swindled by the Englishmen. Many report that Wi-daagh's spirit still roams the Nippenose Valley as a form of eternal protest.

A granite column from the Pennsylvania State Capitol was placed here to honor King Wi-daagh along the banks of Antes Creek in 1900, commemorating the treaty.  The column was originally part of the State Capitol building in Harrisburg that burned in 1897 and was transported to this location by the property's owner.

The back side of the column is engraved with the following:

WI-DAAGH

KING OF THE SUSQUEHANNA INDIANS.

WHOSE WIGWAM WAS HERE

EXECUTED TREATY WITH WM. PENN

SEPT., 13. 1700

CONVEYING SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

AND LANDS ADJOINING IN CONSIDERATION OF

"A PARCEL OF ENGLISH GOODS"

ERECTED SEPT. 13. 1900

A granite column for King Wi-Daagh

Signs of recovery on a once-defoliated mountainside in Palmerton, Carbon County, near the site of the New Jersey Zinc operation.  For more information, visit the EPA's Palmerton Zinc website.

Rehabilitating Mountainside in Palmerton

This photo was taken in Cumberland Cemetery in Lima, PA.  This tombstone serves as an excellent example of a source for interdisciplinary studies for students.  Students studying Earth science can examine the rock type of the tombstone.  Biology/Life Science students can look at the dates of birth and death to examine human lifespan and longevity.  History students can look at the symbols and their meaning - in this case, the ship and date 1620 means that one of the people buried at this site is a descendent from someone that came over on the Mayflower.  Search the PAESTA Classroom for an exercise relating to a tombstone investigation with students.

 

A Tombstone for Interdisciplinary Study

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