Continental Landscape Analysis
Landforms occur in patterns across the surface of the globe, and these landforrn complexes often deflne geographic or landscape regions- One way
of looking at landforms is through elevation changes- A contour map is a useful two-dimensional representation of the surface and the most common
way we have of symbolizing the relief of the surface- However, a type of map called a “shaded relief’ map provides a more intuitive grasp of
elevation-
Consider the following questions and answer them in your write up for this lab- You will need to use the maps AND the documentation to answer
some of these questions (starting with question 3)- You may use additional resources as necessary (e-g-, for number 13 it might be helpful to google
E-W trending mountain ranges)-
1- Locate a geologic time scale and insert it into your lab report with a brief description- In terms of relative time, put these following geologic
timeframes in order and indicate an approximate age for each (note: Some of these will overlap based on how they are classified): Holocene,
Mississippian, Tertiary, Paleozoic, Pleistocene, Pennsylvanian, Mesozoic, Devonian, Triassic, Cambrian, Jurassic, Cretaceous
2- Where in your timeline is the K-T (or K-Pg) boundary? What happened here? (search the web if necessary)-
3- Examine the overall map, characterize the large-scale patterns- East/West? North/South-
a- For example, what trends do you see in the ‘relief of the map as you move across the country?
4- In general, where are the oldest rocks found?
5- Using the pamphlet, read the information on pages 5-15- On your outline map, identify areas described by numbers 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 34,
35, 41, and 46?
6- How are folded ranges created?
7- Locate the Michigan Basin and the Nashville Dome, do the ages of the rocks have the same pattern in each feature (older-younger or younger to
older?)
8- What is the geologic origin of Florida?
9- Explain how beach gravel deposits can be found in Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin County, Alabama-
10- From what period do the granite core of the black hills originate? How old are these rocks?
11- What are the "staked plains" and how did they get their name?
12- What is the cause of the "Basin and Range" province?
13- Most of the Mountain ranges trend N-S- Identify on your map the mountain ranges that trend E-W-
14- The Mississippi embayment is an area of flat land and very young sediments that show where the Gulf of Mexico filled in much of the lower
Mississippi valley- On your map sketch and label the Mississippi embayment-
15- Crowley's Ridge appears right through the heart of the Mississippi Embayment, label this feature and suggest how it might have been formed?
16- Glaciers covered much of North America as recently as 11,000 years ago- Can you identify landforms that are associated with the presence or
melting of glacial ice? Identify on your map the extent of the most recent continental glaciation-
17- Locate the coastal barrier islands, what is the difference between east and west coasts? (Mexico is not an ocean!)
18- Sutter Buttes is plainly visible as a small but obvious ‘bump' in the central valley of California- What sort of event would produce an isolated and
singular ‘bump' like this?
Conclusions:
Attach your completed map to your write up and make sure you have labeled features on the map that help answer the questions-