Name ________________________
Period ___
Due Date _______
Satellite Images and Topographic Maps of Texas: An Elevated View
Elaborate
1. Define and list the examples of each:
Weathering-
Erosion-
Deposition-
2. Match the Discussion Card with the Satellite images and topographic maps.
3. Use the discussion cards and the packet of notes over erosion to record your answers
below. Please be sure record your answers in complete sentences in order to receive
full credit. You will need to spend some to come up with thoughtful answers.
Card A: An Area in Big Bend National Park
YOUTUBE VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5orO7w2gcww

A. What do you predict this area will look like as additional weathering and erosion occur
over time?

B. How might the rate of weathering and erosion be affected if the amount of precipitation
changed- such as increasing and decreasing? (Explain both scenarios think about
droughts and flash flooding.)

C. What type of river system drainage pattern would cause the surface feature on the
satellite image (look for the mark on the map and use your packet of notes)?
Card B: Monahans Sandhills State Park near Odessa, TX
Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcyZyKuHnk

D. Locate the various areas of higher elevation (hint lighter color) on the topographic
map. What forces could be weathering (physical or chemical) and eroding these hills (be
sure to tell what kind of erosion is occurring-use the packet of notes)? Explain your
reasoning.
Weathering-
Agents of Erosion-

E. How do you predict the area will change as additional weathering, erosion, and
deposition occur over time?

F. Look at the satellite image; you will notice the topography has some unusual features.
Make a key that you might use for this topographic map (you need at least 2).
Card C: An area in Palo Duro Canyon
YOUTUBE VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=dzQweCM3Lj0

G. What do the small spaces between contour lines indicate? Which side or direction of the
map do you find this close spacing?

H. What do you predict this area will look like as additional weathering and erosion
occur over time?

I. How might the rate of weathering and erosion be affected if a dam was built upstream
on this river?

J. What symbol do you see SE of Post Draw and what does it represent?

K. What direction is the river and tributaries flowing?

L. Name one of the tributaries.
Card D: An Island near Corpus Christi, TX

M. Why do you not see many contour lines on this barrier island? Explain.

N. What do you predict this area will look like as additional weathering and erosion
occur over time?

O. What happens when the island is affected by hurricane-force winds?
Card C: An Area in the Palo Duro Canyon
The Palo Duro Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of Texas, is located in the high plains panhandle
region of North Texas. Average annual precipitation is 20 inches per year, and flash flooding is a major
concern in the canyon.
The Canyon is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and has a maximum depth of more than 800 feet.
Its elevation at the rim is 3,500 feet above sea level. It is often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second
largest canyon in the United States. The largest, the Grand Canyon, is 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and
6,000 ft. deep. Palo Duro Canyon was formed by water erosion from the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red
River. The water deepens the canyon by moving sediment downstream. Wind and water erosion gradually
widen the canyon.
Early Spanish Explorers are believed to have discovered the area and dubbed the canyon "Palo Duro" which is
Spanish for "hard wood" in reference to the abundant mesquite and juniper trees.
Card B: Monahans Sandhills State Park near Odessa, Texas
Monahans Sandhill State Park is located in West Texas. There is little annual precipitation (average annual rainfall is 12.5
inches), and seasonal and prevailing winds result in an ever-changing landscape with sand hill constantly changing
shape.
The park is only a small portion of a dune field that extends about 200 miles from south of Monahans westward and
north into New Mexico. Most of these dunes are stabilized by vegetation, but the park is one area where many dunes
are still active.
On the outside of the Park: notice more vegetation than inside (remember the video)
Card D: An Island near Corpus Christi, Texas
St. Joseph’s Island is one of at least 6 barrier islands along the Texas Gulf Coast. A barrier island is a long, thin, sandy
stretch of land, oriented parallel to the mainland coast that protects the coast from the full force of powerful storm
waves. Between the barrier island and the mainland is a calm, protected water body such as a lagoon or bay. Barrier
islands are dynamic systems, constantly on the move, migrating under the influence of changing sea levels, storms,
waves, tides, and longshore currents (A long-shore current is an ocean current that moves parallel to shore. It is caused
by swells sweeping into the shoreline at an angle and pushing water down the length of the beach in one direction.).
They are usually separated from the mainland by a shallow bay or lagoon. Average annual rainfall varies from 30-50
inches per year. Warm, moderate temperatures occur throughout the year.
On the north end of Port Aransas are the Port Aransas Jetties. The jetties protect the Port Aransas Ship Channel, which
cargo ships and chemical tankers use to gain access to the Port of Corpus Christi. Across the channel is St. Joe's (San
Jose) Island, an uninhabited isle that runs from Port Aransas north to Matagorda Island.
Card A: An Area in Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is located in West Texas along the Rio Grande River. Summer months bring high temperatures.
The amount of precipitation in this area varies greatly. Seasonal streams develop after short periods of rainfall as water
flow downhill. These seasonal streams are represented by blue dotted lines on a topographic map.
The park exhibits dramatic contrasts; its climate may be characterized as one of extremes. Dry, hot late spring and early
summer days often exceed 100 degrees in the lower elevations. Winters are normally mild throughout the park, but subfreezing temperatures occasionally occur. Because of the range in altitude from approximately 1,800 feet along the river
to 7,800 feet in the Chisos Mountains, a wide variation in available moisture and in temperature exists throughout the
park. These variations contribute to an exceptional diversity in plant and animal habitats.