Geo Map App as a tool for landscape

Geo. Map App as a tool for landscape analysis of MA in an introductory level Physical Geology course Tarin H. Weiss Westfield State University Westfield, MA June 2015 For: Student Learning About Critical Earth Issues Through the Use of Large Online Digital Data Sets (A Virtual Workshop sponsored by On 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 Geo. Map 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 lowland Eastern upland CT valley lowland Western upland Berkshire & Taconic Mts. www. netstate. com/states/geography/images/ma_landregions. gif

Sequence (cont. ) • Start Geo. Map. App. • Create profiles across Zoom to MA North MA – determine 42. 53, East -69. 50, gradients. South 41. 35, West 73. 80 • Load the topography data • Explore sun illumination and relief

Explore multiple cross-sections

Add photos to. Cape reinforce regional similarities and differences Cod www. onlineatlas. us/images/massachusetts_480. jpg Lowell, MA http: //www. lowellma. gov/Site. Assets/banner. jpg Image: Eric. MA, Shaw White Mt. Greylock after snowfall Central Worcester Airport https: //upload. wikimedia. org CT River Valley http: //johnburk. zenfolio. com/img/s 3/v 26/p 919636305 -5. jpg View of Berkshires near North Adams, Looking east over Quabbin, New Salem, MA MAjbcurio Image: - flickr. com/ mememeflickr www. panoramas. com/boston-skyline-panoramic-aerial-picture-bos 5. html Golf Course, Falmouth, MA http: //images. raveis. com/Cape. Cod. New. Pix/21/80/88/218088_22.

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 Geo. Map 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/em 4 ef. home USDA NRCS Soils http: //websoilsurvey. nrcs. usda. gov/app/Home. Page. htm Historical Maps http: //lcweb 2. loc. gov/ammem/gmdhtml/cnsvhome. html Nat’l Geo maps http: //education. nationalgeographic. com/education/mapping/interactivemap/? ar_a=1 • Nature. Serve & 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/