Name ________________________________________________
Chapter 14 Investigation Worksheet, page 1
To complete this worksheet, see the instructions in the textbook (Chapter 14 Investigation).
Table 1. Landscape Features and Geologic Setting
Observations: Observe this map of North America to identify areas that are close to sea level, either above it or below it. Think about
how areas along the coasts would be affected by either a rise or fall in sea level. Refer to the color figure in the textbook (Chapter 14
Investigation).
Chapter 14 Investigation Worksheet; page 2
Table 2. Effects of Melting or Increasing Ice on Earth
Use the data in the Chapter 14 Investigation in your textbook to calculate the following situations.
1. Calculate how much water would be released if all the ice on the planet melted (an unlikely scenario for any time soon). For this
calculation the equation is: the volume of water gained = the volume of ice X 0.9 (converting ice to water).
2. Calculate the volume of water that would be tied up in ice if the glaciers returned to the same volume as 20,000 years ago. For
this calculation, the equation is: the volume of water lost = the volume of ice 20,000 years ago X 0.9 (converting ice to water).
3. Calculate how much sea level would rise for the water volume gained in step 1 or would fall for the water volume lost in step 2.
Ignoring many important complications, the much simplified equation is:
the change in sea level = change in water volume/surface area of the oceans.
Rise In Sea Level from Melting Ice (meters)
Fall In Sea Level from Growth of Glaciers (meters)
Name _______________________________
Chapter 14 Investigation Worksheet; page 3
Table 3. Describing the Effects of Global Warming or Glacial Periods on Earth
In the space below, describe how each of the cities shown on this map would be affected by the two extremes. Would it be partially
or totally flooded (FL), not flooded but much closer to the shoreline (CS), or much farther from the shoreline (FS)? Discuss how
rising or falling sea levels would affect a low-elevation city’s transportation abilities, economic livelihood, and any other aspect.
Rising of
Lowering of
Impacts on Transportation, Economy, Etc.
City
Sea Level
Sea Level
for a Typical Low-Elevation City
Rise in Sea Level
Fall in Sea Level
Toronto
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Due to Melting of Glaciers
Due to an Increase in Glaciation
Boston
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
New York City
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Washington, D.C.
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Savannah
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Miami
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Memphis
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
New Orleans
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Houston
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Los Angeles
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
San Francisco
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Sacramento
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Portland
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Seattle
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Vancouver
FL/CS/FS
FL/CS/FS
Chapter 14 Investigation Worksheet; page 4
Table 4. Multiple-choice Questions for Chapter 14 Investigation
Question
Answers
Calculate how much water would be released if all the ice on the a) 2,880,000 cubic kilometers
planet melted (an unlikely scenario for any time soon). For this
b) 28,800,000 cubic kilometers
calculation the equation is: the volume of water gained = the
c) 4,680,000 cubic kilometers
volume of ice X 0.9 (converting ice to water).
d) 46,800,000 cubic kilometers
Calculate the volume of water that would be tied up in ice if the
glaciers returned to the same volume as 20,000 years ago. For
this calculation, the equation is: the volume of water lost = the
volume of ice 20,000 years ago X 0.9 (converting ice to water).
a) 2,880,000 cubic kilometers
b) 28,800,000 cubic kilometers
c) 4,680,000 cubic kilometers
d) 46,800,000 cubic kilometers
Calculate how much sea level would rise for the water volume
gained in question 1. Ignoring many important complications, the
much simplified equation is: the change in sea level = change in
water volume/surface area of the oceans. Round your answers to
the nearest whole number (for example 46, not 45.7).
Calculate how much sea level would fall for the water volume
lost in step 2. Ignoring many important complications, the much
simplified equation is: the change in sea level = change in water
volume/surface area of the oceans. Round your answers to the
nearest whole number (for example 46, not 45.7).
a) 80 meters
b) 130 meters
c) 160 meters
d) 260 meters
a) 80 meters
b) 130 meters
c) 160 meters
d) 260 meters