Water and the EarthRivers

Exploring with Google Earth

▪ We’ll be looking at different rivers around the world identifying geological processes and characteristics that make them what they are today.

▪ View the next slides and complete each activity in your Geo-Journal first.

▪ Then, open Google Earth and locate 3 different areas that share similar terrain as the topographic map at your station. Note the Google Earth coordinates and any key differences between your map and the 3 locations in your Geo-Journal.

What geological process created this feature of the Grand Canyon?

What causes waterfalls to form and what happens to them over time with erosion?

The Mississippi River…

How many completely formed oxbow lakes are shown in this section of the river? How where they formed?

Below is an areal view of the river’s headwaters. Is it how you expected? How does it differ from the usual depictions of headwaters?

Below are images of the Yamuna River. Sketch your own compiled version of these images labeling at least 1 example of each geological characteristic. Label the Upper, Middle, and Lower courses and provide a brief explanation of what changes are occurring at each level.

Characteristics:CutbankPointbarMeanderRiver headMouthTributary Delta