Name: ______________________
Date: _____________________
Using Google EarthTM to Interpret Features
Purpose: At the end of this activity, you should be able to:
1. Use Google EarthTM to measure a distance.
2. Use Google EarthTM to compare elevations and calculate average
gradient.
3. Use Google EarthTM to create a polygon and use it to measure perimeter
and area.
Materials: You must have Google EarthTM installed on your computer and an
internet connection. You should already know how to do some basic Google
EarthTM navigation.
Introduction: Google EarthTM can be used to get a sense of slope and other
features of landforms. It can quickly and easily compare values between
different features.
Procedures:
1.
Open up Google EarthTM
or Google EarthTM Pro.
2.
Use the “Fly to” feature to go to Sylvan Beach, NY.
3.
Put a placemark at Sylvan Beach.
4.
Use the ruler function to draw a line 10 km due east (heading 90°), a line
10 km due north (heading 0°), and one 10 km due south (heading 180°). Save
the lines.
5.
Use those lines to answer Conclusion questions 1 - 4.
6.
Use the “Fly to” feature to go to Gore Mountain, NY (if you ski, you may
recognize a few of the trails). Put a placemark at the peak (highest point) of
Gore Mountain.
7.
While holding the mouse wheel, move the mouse forward and back to tilt
the view so you are looking “up” or “down” the mountain.
8.
Use the ruler function to draw a line 10 km due east, a line 10 km due
north, and one 10 km due south. Save the lines.
9.
Use those lines to answer Conclusion questions 5 - 7.
NYS Earth Science
Mapping and Models
Using Google EarthTM to Interpret Features
Page 1 of 3
10. Compare those gradients with the gradients found elsewhere. “Fly to” the
Needle Mountains, CO. Put a placemark at the peak of Mount Eolus.
11. While holding the mouse wheel, move the mouse forward and back to tilt
the view so you are looking “up” or “down” the mountain and the other
mountains in the range.
12. Use the ruler function to draw a line 10 km due east, a line 10 km due
north, and one 10 km due south. Save the lines.
13.
Use those lines to answer Conclusion questions 8 - 11.
14. Now calculate the area of the largest lake that lies entirely within New York
State, Oneida Lake. “Fly to” Oneida Lake.
15. Use the “Add Polygon” tool to draw a polygon around the edge of
Oneida Lake. To draw a polygon, click a starting point and drag the mouse
around the edge of the area you intend to measure. The polygon will appear as a
white area over where you drag the mouse. When you get back to the starting
point, release the mouse. Save the polygon as “Oneida Lake surface”.
16. Once the polygon is complete, go to the “Measurements” tab of the “New
Polygon” window to find the area and perimeter of the polygon just drawn.
17. Now, draw a polygon, in the same way, around the edge of Lake Ontario.
Save the polygon as “Lake Ontario surface”.
18.
Use those polygons to answer Conclusion questions 12 – 14.
19. “Fly to” Barringer Crater. The Barringer Meteorite Crater was formed
approximately 50,000 years ago when a 50 m diameter meteor made it through
the Earth’s atmosphere and crashed into the crust. Although this is not the
largest crater on Earth, the dry conditions in Arizona have kept it remarkably well
preserved.
20. Calculate the volume of material that was ejected by the impact of the
meteor that caused the Barringer Crater. Assume that the Barringer Crater is a
half a sphere. The formula for finding the volume of a sphere is 4/3 ∏ r3.
Conclusions:
1.
What is the elevation at Sylvan Beach? ____________________________
2.
What is the elevation at the end of each of the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
NYS Earth Science
Mapping and Models
Using Google EarthTM to Interpret Features
Page 2 of 3
3.
What is the average slope for the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
4.
Considering only slope, which direction would it be easiest to walk? ______
5.
What is the elevation at the peak of Gore Mountain? __________________
6.
What is the elevation at the end of each of the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
7.
What is the average slope for the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
8.
What is the elevation at the peak of Mount Eolus? ____________________
9.
What is the elevation at the end of each of the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
10.
What is the average slope for the lines that you drew?
East: _____________ North: ____________ South: ___________
11.
Of the 3 areas seen so far the steepest slope is found at the
__________________________ side of ___________________________
12.
What is the Area of Oneida Lake? __________ Sq. miles ________ Sq. km
13.
What is the Area of Lake Ontario? __________ Sq. miles ________ Sq. km
14.
The area of Lake Ontario is approximately how many times bigger than
Oneida Lake? _________________________________________________
15.
What is the volume of material ejected when Barringer crater was formed?
_________________ km3
NYS Earth Science
Mapping and Models
Using Google EarthTM to Interpret Features
Page 3 of 3