Name: ________________________________
Date: _______________ Period: ___________
Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources (4D)
Biomass
1. What side of the Mississippi are most of the biomass and wood power plants located?
2. Why are there a limited number of power plants west of the Mississippi?
Geothermal
3. What side of the Mississippi has the most geothermal potential and the most power plants?
4. Why is there more geothermal potential found there?
Hydroelectric
5. Why are there quite a few hydroelectric plants found in linear patterns on the map?
Solar
6. Why are there a very limited amount of solar power plants and limited solar potential in the
northern U.S.?
Wind
7. Why does the Great Plains region have a substantial number of wind power plants and a greater
amount of wind potential?
Nuclear
8. What is one possible reason why the west coast has fewer nuclear power plants than the east?
*Hint: Think back to the geothermal map
Fossil Fuels
9. Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?
10. Think of the population density of the U.S. Is there a correlation between populated areas and
location of fossil fuel power plants? Why or why not?
***KEY ***Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources (4D)***KEY***
Biomass
1. What side of the Mississippi are most of the biomass and wood power plants located?
East
2. Why are there a limited number of power plants west of the Mississippi?
Lack of biomass resources
Geothermal
3. What side of the Mississippi has the most geothermal potential and the most power plants?
West
4. Why is there more geothermal potential found there?
Region has active plate tectonic boundaries and hot spots
Hydroelectric
5. Why are there quite a few hydroelectric plants found in linear patterns on the map?
Hydroelectricity requires moving or falling water so they are found along rivers and mountain
ranges.
Solar
6. Why are there a very limited amount of solar power plants and limited solar potential in the
northern U.S.?
The Northern U.S. receives more indirect sunlight which means the sun’s rays are more diffused
or less intense.
Wind
7. Why does the Great Plains region have a substantial number of wind power plants and a greater
amount of wind potential?
The area is relatively flat, so there are not a lot of landforms impeding wind flow.
Nuclear
8. What is one possible reason why the west coast has fewer nuclear power plants than the east?
*Hint: Think back to the geothermal map
There is active plate movement in the area resulting in a greater potential of earthquakes.
Fossil Fuels
9. Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?
They cannot be replenished once they are used.
10. Think of the population density of the U.S. Is there a correlation between populated areas and
location of fossil fuel power plants? Why or why not?
Yes, plants would be located near the populated areas so that it would be more cost effective
for them to receive their electricity.
Engage:
Group Members: ______________________________________________________________________
Elaborate:
Group Members: ______________________________________________________________________
Using the following website http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=tx , create natural resource maps for the
resources listed below: (Be sure to include a legend)
Biomass
Geothermal
Solar
Coal
Hydroelectric
Wind