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/