Altitude and Elevation Assignment
Digital Communications
The Task:
In the last lesson, we learned how to use the Altitude and Elevation tools to analyze a variety of
sites around the world. This assignment will require you to apply your knowledge of these
concepts in order to gather data about a series of sites.
Part I: Natural Protection
We began the last lesson by visiting three sites in which humans had built walls to protect
against enemies. While we don’t often think of it, the earth’s natural features also can protect
human settlements. Your task in Part I is to visit three cities of your choice around the world
which are protected by natural features such as mountains, rivers, oceans, etc…. At each of the
three sites you visit, type the information asked for in the boxes provided.
City 1:
Name of City:
Describe the natural features that protect this city.
Moving your mouse around the site, record the highest elevation you find in the box below:
Moving your mouse around the site, record the lowest elevation you find in the box below:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
City 2:
Name of City:
Describe the natural features that protect this city.
Moving your mouse around the site, record the highest elevation you find in the box below:
Moving your mouse around the site, record the lowest elevation you find in the box below:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
City 3:
Name of City:
Describe the natural features that protect this city.
Moving your mouse around the site, record the highest elevation you find in the box below:
Moving your mouse around the site, record the lowest elevation you find in the box below:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
Part II: Viewing the Earth using the Altitude Tool
In Part II, you will view a series of four sites around the world from a variety of different
altitudes. At each site, you will record the predominant natural features and take a series of
elevation measurements in order to record the highest and lowest elevations you can find.
Site 1: Matterhorn, Italy
Type Matterhorn, Italy in the Search box and fly to the location. Once there, zoom out to an
altitude of 20,000 feet.
What is the predominant natural feature of this site?
The highest elevation I found at this site was:
The lowest elevation I found at this site was:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
Site 2: North Aral Sea, Kazakhstan
Type North Aral Sea, Kazakstan in the Search box and fly to the location. Once there, zoom
out to an altitude of 95 miles.
What is the predominant natural feature of this site?
The highest elevation I found at this site was:
The lowest elevation I found at this site was:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
Site 3: Fernandina, Ecuador
Type Fernandina, Ecuador in the Search box and fly to the location. Once there, zoom out to
altitude of 25 miles.
What is the predominant natural feature of this site?
The highest elevation I found at this site was:
The lowest elevation I found at this site was:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
Site 4: Grand Canyon, Arizona
Type Grand Canyon, Arizona in the Search box and fly to the location. Once there, zoom out
to an altitude of 20 miles.
What is the predominant natural feature of this site?
The highest elevation I found at this site was:
The lowest elevation I found at this site was:
Place mark this site and move it to your My Places Folder.
When you are finished:
When you are finished, save your work as Altitude and Elevation and then send to me as an
email attachment. You will receive a return email from with your grade.