Earthscape Edinboro: An Earth Systems Based Educational Model to Connect Locals with Their Locale

Northwestern Pennsylvania is characterized by earth-system features and phenomena that uniquely define its “earthscape”. Earthscape represents an area's local Earth system distinguished as a small yet distinctive part of the dynamic, global-scale Earth system of interacting spheres. An area's earthscape a) governs the type and location of local earth materials, resources, and hazards, b) specifies the local geologic history and landscape evolution, and c) determines the nature of local human-environment and system interactions.

This project focuses on documenting the distinctive, defining aspects of Edinboro's earthscape. These aspects include the Lake Erie shoreline (especially Presque Isle), lake-effect weather, French Creek watershed, Devonian bedrock (especially related to petroleum history), viticulture, and glacial landforms. They greatly impact the local landscape, economy, culture, tourism, and history and are deeply rooted in the identity of northwestern Pennsylvania as a place. In poster, presentation, and activity form, the project provides opportunities for locals, especially students at local schools, to learn about and connect with their specific locale. As with any place, modern and ancient earth-system products and processes are documented in abundance in northwestern Pennsylvania. A long history of human interaction with and exploitation of the landscape and bedrock also exists.

So, what defines your earthscape? Importantly, every area has its own earthscape – one that's useful as an effective educational tool. We capture the essence of northwestern Pennsylvania's earthscape by identifying the area's defining aspects, exploring these, and portraying them. To this end, we address these overarching, general questions – ones you can ask: 1) What local natural features serve as icons of our place?; 2) What subset of system processes interact in and shape our earthscape?; 3) What has happened in the geologic past to produce and modify our earthscape?; and 4) How do these defining aspects affect and drive human activity here?