GeoMap 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 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 lowland
Eastern upland
CT valley lowland
Western upland
Berkshire & Taconic Mts.
www.netstate.com/states/geography/images/ma_landregions.gif
Sequence (cont.)
• Start GeoMapApp.
• 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 toCape
reinforce
regional similarities and differences
Cod www.onlineatlas.us/images/massachusetts_480.jpg
Lowell, MA http://www.lowellma.gov/SiteAssets/banner.jpg
Image:
EricMA,
Shaw
White Mt.
Greylock
after snowfall
Central
Worcester
Airport
https://upload.wikimedia.org
CT
River
Valley
http://johnburk.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v26/p919636305-5.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-bos5.html
Golf
Course, Falmouth, MA http://images.raveis.com/CapeCodNewPix/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
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/