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GeoMap App as a tool for landscape analysis of MA
in an introductory level Physical Geology course
Tarin H. WeissWestfield State University
Westfield, MAJune 2015
For: Student Learning About Critical Earth Issues Through the Use of Large Online Digital Data Sets
(A Virtual Workshop sponsored byOn the Cutting Edge – NAGT)
Context
• Physical Geology Hometown Geology Assignment (written assignment with maps/images) – students report on bedrock geology (tectonic history, type, features, etc) & issue of interest
• Goal of assignment – for students to apply and synthesize their knowledge of geology to a familiar context
Integrating GeoMap App
• Based on learning activities by A. Goodwillie and S.Kluge
Activity Sequence
• Students identify landscape regions in MA based on topography & brainstorm explanations for differences
Coastal lowlandEastern uplandCT valley lowlandWestern uplandBerkshire & Taconic Mts.
www.netstate.com/states/geography/images/ma_landregions.gif
Sequence (cont.)• Start GeoMapApp.
Zoom to MA North 42.53, East -69.50, South 41.35, West -73.80
• Load the topography data
• Explore sun illumination and relief
• Create profiles across MA – determine gradients.
Explore multiple cross-sections
Add photos to reinforce regional similarities and differences
Image: Eric Shaw White Mt. Greylock after snowfallView of Berkshires near North Adams, MA jbcurio - flickr.com/CT River Valley http://johnburk.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v26/p919636305-5.jpgLooking east over Quabbin, New Salem, MA Image: mememeflickr
Central MA, Worcester Airport https://upload.wikimedia.org
Lowell, MA http://www.lowellma.gov/SiteAssets/banner.jpg
www.panoramas.com/boston-skyline-panoramic-aerial-picture-bos5.htmlGolf Course, Falmouth, MA http://images.raveis.com/CapeCodNewPix/21/80/88/218088_22.
Cape Cod www.onlineatlas.us/images/massachusetts_480.jpg
Sequence (cont.)• Load bedrock geology data, explore bedrock & topography
• Change transparency of layers – identify relationships between topography & geology
• Explore rock types (types, features, tectonics)
Sequence (cont.)
• Focus directly hometown area for report using GeoMap App to link topography to geology
• Explore data sets/layers related to tectonic history and weathering/erosion of hometown
• Utilize additional online data sources
Additional Data Sources• USGS Bedrock Maps http://mrdata.usgs.gov/sgmc/ma.html• EPA Watershed http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm• MA GIS Mapping Tool http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/map_ol/oliver.php
• EPA Enviromapper http://www.epa.gov/emefdata/em4ef.home• USDA NRCS Soils http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm
• Historical Maps http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/cnsvhome.html
• Nat’l Geo maps http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/mapping/interactive-map/?ar_a=1
• NatureServe & Nat’l Geo Conservation/Land Use Data http://www.landscope.org/introduction/
• Landsat Images http://landsatlook.usgs.gov/
• IRIS Earthquake Browser, USGS Recent Earthquakes • NOAA view http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/view/