- THREE Original DIGITAL MAP SETS (a set consists of: one map at a local (city), regional (country) and global (continent) scale) that shows data on natural hazards. The Atmosphere data Map Set is due Week 2, the Hydrosphere data Map Set due Week 4 .
链接到外部网站。
Why maps?
For this project the maps you create must be original, that is you just didn’t search Google images for maps already created by other people. You will be creating maps of areas that you choose, using data you choose, and you will format it with a scale bar, north arrow, title, and paragraph caption that are all original. I am basically asking you to create a series of thematic maps. Watch this short video链接到外部网站。 which explains what thematic maps are and what they look like.
What is a Physical Geography Hazard?
The maps you create for this project must display a Natural Hazard (any naturally occurring event that can have a negative effect on people or the environment). These events are “natural” because they are a part of earths systems, but when they occur where people live, than they become a “hazard” to people. Find out more about hazards by checking out information from the USGS链接到外部网站。 and the U.S.Federal Government 链接到外部网站。
Possible Map Data Ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Hydrosphere Hazards:
- Sea Level Rise
- Storm Surge
- Sea Surface Temperature
- Flooding
How will you make an original map set for each sphere?
In order to make a map you need to choose an area and add data. You may use a variety of sources such as National Map链接到外部网站。, National Geographic Map Maker (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。, Google Earth (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。(free download), Weather Underground Mapper链接到外部网站。, and ArcGIS Explorer链接到外部网站。 (requires creating a free account) to get base maps and data, NOAA National Hazard Viewer (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。, and Windyty (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。
There are 4 steps to creating your maps:
- Choose a free map maker form the list above and browse the available hazard data to decide which hazard you want to map. Week 2: you data should be an atmosphere hazard, Week 4 your data should be a hydrosphere hazard. Check out this link (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。 for definitions of the earth’s “spheres”.
- Your MAP SET should display natural hazard data at three different scales starting with the local scale (city), zooming out to a regional scale (country), and finally zooming out to a global scale (continent). Look for patterns at local, regional and global scales.
- Each of the 3 maps in your MAP SET should include an original descriptive paragraph that explains the hazard pattern (Where is the hazard occurring and not occurring?), process (Why does the hazard occur some places but not others?), and proposed solutions (How dangerous is this hazard? How could this hazard be managed?). Outside research should be conducted and cited.
- Finally you will capture an image of your completed maps (or just a screen shot) and import it into a word processing program like word where you can add a title, legend, any labels, and paragraph caption for each of the 3 maps. Your MAP SET (3 Maps: local, regional and global) should be submitted on ONE single .doc or .pdf.
Video tutorial on how to Create your Own Original Map:
How to create your own Orignal Map (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。
Map Set Examples:
Atmosphere Map Set.pdf
Your Map Set Should
- Be original, and cite all outside data and sources
- Map a natural hazard at the local, regional and global scales
- Contain a descriptive paragraph caption (5-10 sentences, college level writing) for each of the 3 maps which describes the hazard patterns, process and proposed solutions.
- Contain a scale bar (链接到外部网站。)链接到外部网站。, north arrow, and descriptive title.
- Be easy to see and read.
Here are some pointers to help you create your maps and start thinking about your Map Sets:
- Your map needs to be original, meaning you created it using an online tool where you chose the data to be mapped, the area and zoom level. You should not use an existing (e.g., jpg, png, gif) image of a map that has already been created by someone else.
- You need to do research to explain the patterns that you see. That is, you will need to discover the processes that create the map pattern. For example, if you see a line of volcanoes in the Pacific coast of Central America you will need to explain how the Cocos plate is subducting beneath the Caribbean plate in an oceanic-to-continental convergent plate boundary, how the sinking oceanic plate melts and rises, etc.
- All the information that you use in the descriptive paragraphs needs to be properly cited. It is best if you have a separate reference section at the end of your map set. You also need to cite the source or sources of your maps.
- Your maps need to have a scale bar, north arrow and descriptive title. In some tools such as the National Geographic Mapmaker, the scale bar shows up automatically. In others, you may need to draw it in. You may also need to draw in the north arrow. A descriptive title is one that describes the area covered by the map and its content. “Regional map” is not a descriptive title, “Volcanoes on the Pacific coast of Central America” is.
- You need to describe the hazard patterns, process and proposed solutions. Describe the pattern you see in each map (e.g., Most tornadoes occur in the South and lower Midwest). Describe the process that causes this pattern (e.g, Clashes of cold and warm air masses, moist conditions, formation of thunderstorms, flat,open land, etc.). Describe proposed solutions (e.g., Practice a tornado drill, keep safety supplies, heed warnings, go to the basement, etc.). Again, you will need to do research and cite your sources.
- There should only be one hazard or physical geography phenomena per map set. Do not use more than one layer in a map set. If your local map shows areas of landslide susceptibility, then your regional and continental/global map should also show areas of landslide susceptibility.
- Make sure that each of your maps provides somewhat different information (different patterns and/or processes) so that you have something new to say for each of the different scales (zoom levels).