The United States Flipped
Map 1 – Physical Map of the United States
Imagine that the North American continent (Map 1) was suddenly reversed,
horizontally, so that the east coast was now the west coast, and the west coast was
now the east coast, as shown in Map 2.
Map 2 – Physical Map of the United States Reversed Horizontally
However, the remainder of the World’s continents, oceans, and air currents, were to
remain exactly the same. Thus, in Map 2, the Pacific Ocean now borders the States
from Maine to Florida, and the Atlantic Ocean borders the States from Washington
to California. Canada is still north of the United States, and Mexico is still south.
Focusing just on the physical geography of the United States (weather, climate, and
landforms), comment on the changes that might occur in the following locations,
processes, and time periods:
Seattle
Weather – Knowing that the weather would be neither the weather of
Seattle or New York of Map 1, comment in detail about what the weather would be
in the Seattle of Map 2, including precipitation; temperature; wind direction;
humidity; dew point; and cold, warm, and occluded fronts.
Climate – The climate of Seattle of Map 2 will be very different from the
climate of Seattle of Map 1. Tell us about it.
Landforms – Mountains, rivers, valleys and all other landforms will
drastically change over time around Seattle in the Map 2 configuration. What
changes will occur?
New York City
Weather – Knowing that the weather would be neither the weather of
Seattle or New York City of Map 1, comment in detail about what the weather would
be in the New York City of Map 2, including precipitation; temperature; wind
direction; humidity; dew point; and cold, warm, and occluded fronts.
Climate – The climate of New York of Map 2 will be very different from the
climate of New York City of Map 1. Tell us about it.
Landforms – Mountains, rivers, valleys and all other landforms will
drastically change over time around New York City in the Map 2 configuration. What
changes will occur?