Materials:

•••• envelopes •••• sets of description, photo, topographic

map and satellite

view cards

Satellite and Topographic Views

Objective: Compare topographic maps and satellite views to determine how erosion reshapes land features.

Teacher Directions:

In Advance:

•••• Print; preferably in color; and laminate sets of the photos, descriptions, topographic maps, and satellite view cards. Each student group will investigate all of the 7 areas, so make enough so that each group

will have access to all of the cards.

•••• Place the cards in envelopes for easy distribution.

Activity Directions:

•••• Review features of topographic maps.

•••• Students will match the topographic map with the satellite view, then with the description and finally

with the photo.

•••• Cards match as follows:

Place Satellite

View

Topographic

Map

Emory Peak A 3

Monahans Sand Hills B 7

Enchanted Rock C 2

Rio Grande Valley D 1

Padre Island E 5

Meteor Crater F 4

Palo Duro Canyon G 6

TEKS 8.9C interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering.

Possible Answers:

Palo

Duro Canyon

How do the contour lines on the map show the canyon walls? The lines are close together along both sides of the river. Along the bottom of the canyon, there

are fewer lines. What agent of erosion likely created the canyon? moving

water How might the canyon be affected if a dam were built

upstream of the river? Sediment would be deposited above the dam, so

erosion would decrease below the dam.

Predict the effects of erosion on the canyon. The canyon would broaden and deepen over time.

Meteor Crater

Describe the land feature created by the meteor impact. The feature is a depression or hollowed out bowl

shape How is the land feature indicated on the topographic map? The contour lines have smaller, perpendicular lines

showing that the elevation decreases How has erosion changed the crater?

Erosion has deposited sediment into the crater, causing it to be less deep.

Predict what will happen to the land feature over time.

Over time, the crater will likely fill with more sediment and eventually no longer be a depression. It will ultimately be

buried.

Emory

Peak

What land feature is Emory Peak? Emory Peak is a mountain

On the topographic map, note the “V” shaped lines along

the area labeled “Boot”. What do these lines represent? These lines represent a river flowing downhill.

What erosional features are seen on the maps? Many rivers, valleys and small streams

Predict how Emory Peak’s shape may change over many years.

As the mountain erodes, the sediment will be carried down the mountain slopes,

causing the mountain to become more gently sloped and rounder—less jagged.

Rio

Grande

River Valley

Compare the satellite photo and the topographic map. What differences do you see? Answers will vary, but

students should notice that the satellite photo shows rectangular areas (agricultural), vegetation and buildings

As more and more water is pulled from the river, the water flow slows. How might this effect the erosion of the

river channel? The rate at which the river channel widens or deepens will slow.

How will the shape of the river channel change as the river continues to flow?

Eventually, the river channel will deepen and widen, the river will continue to become more curved.

Enchanted

Rock

How would you describe Enchanted Rock based on the maps? The rock appears to be a dome shaped hill or mountain

What is the highest elevation on Enchanted Rock? 1825

feet Which side of the rock would be easiest to climb and why?

The South side would be easiest because the contour lines are further apart.

One agent of erosion at Enchanted Rock is exfoliation. Rock breaks off in large sheets slides to the bottom of the rock.

What force causes the sheets of rock to slide down hill? gravity

How will the shape of the rock change over time? If the sides continue to erode away,

the rock will become more rounded, but smaller

Monahans

Sand Hills

Observe the areas of higher elevation on the topographic

map and the light-colored areas on the satellite image. What force is most likely weathering and eroding these

areas? Wind

List at least three ways the sand hills will

change due to weathering, erosion and deposition.

The dunes will change shape, size and location

Padre Island

What is the elevation along the shoreline?

sea level or 0 feet Why is only one contour line shown? The area is basically flat

What two land features are found along the shoreline? beaches and sand dunes

How might a hurricane impact the area? A hurricane would change the force of the water along the shore, causing more erosion. This would

change the shape of the island.

People living along the shore are concerned

about the beaches disappearing. Why is this concern valid? As water and wind exert force along the

shore, the shoreline is eroded away, which virtually causes the beach to disappear.

Satellite and Topographic Views Objective: Compare topographic maps and satellite views to determine how erosion reshapes land features.

Directions:

•••• Observe the characteristics of each map.

•••• Match the topographic map with the corresponding satellite image. •••• Match the description card with the corresponding map and image.

•••• Match the photo with the corresponding description, map and image. •••• Answer the questions for each set.

Palo Duro

Canyon

cards ___

and ___

How do the contour lines on the map show the canyon walls? ___________________

__________________________________

What agent of erosion likely created the canyon? _________________________

How might the canyon be affected if a dam

were built upstream of the river? __________________________________

__________________________________

Predict the effects of erosion on the canyon.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Meteor Crater

cards ___

and ___

Describe the land feature created by the meteor impact. ____________________

_________________________________

How is the land feature indicated on the topographic map? __________________

_________________________________

How has erosion changed the crater?

__________________________________

__________________________________

Predict what will happen to the land feature over time.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

TEKS 8.9C interpret topographic maps and satellite views to identify land and erosional features and predict how these features may be reshaped by weathering.

Emory Peak

cards ___ and ___

What land feature is Emory Peak?

_________________________________

On the topographic map, note the “V”

shaped lines along the area labeled “Boot”.

What do these lines represent?

__________________________________

__________________________________

What erosional features are seen on the

maps? ____________________________

__________________________________

Predict how Emory Peak’s shape may

change over many years.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Rio Grande

River Valley

cards ___

and ___

Compare the satellite photo and the

topographic map. What differences do you

see? ______________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

As more and more water is pulled from the

river, the water flow slows. How might

this effect the erosion of the river channel?

__________________________________

__________________________________

How will the shape of the river channel

change as the river continues to flow?

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

Enchanted

Rock

cards ___

and ___

How would you describe Enchanted Rock based on the maps?___________________

___________________________________

What is the highest elevation on Enchanted Rock? _____________________________

Which side of the rock would be easiest to

climb and why? ______________________

___________________________________

One agent of erosion at Enchanted Rock is exfoliation. Rock breaks off in large sheets

slides to the bottom of the rock. What force causes the sheets of rock to

slide down hill? _____________________

How will the shape of the rock change over time? _____________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Monahans

Sand Hills

cards ___

and ___

Observe the areas of higher elevation on

the topographic map and the light-colored areas on the satellite image. What force is

most likely weathering and eroding these areas?

_________________________________

List at least three ways the sand hills will

change due to weathering, erosion and deposition.

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Padre Island

cards ___

and ___

What is the elevation along the shoreline?

___________________________________

Why is only one contour line shown?

___________________________________

What two land features are found along the

shoreline? __________________________

___________________________________

How might a hurricane impact the area?

___________________________________

___________________________________

People living along the shore are

concerned about the beaches disappearing. Why is this concern valid?

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Description Cards

Enchanted Rock State Park, near Fredricksburg, Texas

Enchanted Rock is an enormous granite dome formation found in Central Texas. The dome rises about 425 feet above the surrounding area. The rock was formed about

1,082 million years ago when molten rock pushed up through the surrounding rock. The rock is known for its “moaning” which occurs when the rock cools and contracts

after being heated during the day. This also causes the granite to split off the dome in sheets. Average rainfall in the area is about 31 inches per year. The temperature can

vary by 23 degrees between day and night.

Rio Grande River Valley, near Rio Grande City, Texas

The Rio Grande River flows from Colorado through New Mexico and along the Texas Mexico border until it joins the Pecos River and heads to the Gulf of Mexico. Near the

river’s mouth, is an important agricultural region, where the river ends in a sandy delta. The use of water from the river has slowed the flow of the river tremendously over the years. Less than a fifth of the water reaches the Gulf of Mexico today.

Meteor Crater, near Odessa, Texas

This is the site of one of two meteor impacts found in Texas. Thousands of meteors

fell about 63,500 years ago. The crater was originally about 100 feet deep, but over time, soil and debris have filled the crater to a depth of about 15 feet deep.

Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Emory Peak is part of the Chisos Mountains, which lie in the heart of Big Bend National

Park. The Park is located in far West Texas. Emory Peak is the highest point of the Chisos Mountains at 7825 feet above sea level. These mountains are volcanic and

formed 40-60 million years ago during volcanic eruptions and intrusions. Over time, seasonal streams flow downhill and have carved away much of the mountain slopes,

leaving many channels and gullies behind.

Monahans Sandhills State Park, near Monahans, Texas

The Monahans Sandhills State Park is located in West Texas and consists of 3840 acres of sand dunes, some of which are up to 70 feet high. The area receives little

annual precipitation, but has seasonal winds which reshape the landscape. Most of the dunes are stabilized by vegetation, but many dunes are still active. The prevailing

winds in the area change the shape and size of the dunes.

Palo Duro Canyon, near Amarillo, Texas

The Palo Duro Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Texas, is located in the

high plains of North Texas. The canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River. The canyon varies from a depth of 820 to 997 feet. Average annual

precipitation is 20 inches per year, and flash flooding is a major concern in the canyon.

Padre Island, near Corpus Christi, Texas

Padre Island is the largest Texas barrier island and the world's longest barrier island. Barrier islands are long, narrow strips of sand that provide protection for mainland

areas. They are usually separated from the mainland by a shallow bay or lagoon. Padre Island is located on Texas' southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is famous

for its white sandy beaches at the south end. The average annual rainfall varies from 30 to 50 inches per year.

Photos

Enchanted Rock

Monahans Sand Hills

Rio Grande Valley

Photos

Palo Duro Canyon

Meteor Crater

Emory Peak

Padre Island

3

A

Satellite and Topographic Maps

C

2

N

7

B

E

5

4

F

G

6

D

1