Directions – READ ENTIRELY

1. Make sure your notebook paper has your name, date, period, and title: Interpreting
Satellite and Topographic Maps Practice

2. Put the number and title for each example as you go through

3. Write all answers using COMPLETE sentences that do not start with “It” or
“Because”

4. You may click on ctrl and the to reach the Google Map for each image if you
would like to explore in more detail

5. You can zoom in and out of the picture for more detail

6. Questions?: Ask your partner first for clarification. If they can’t help, raise your hand
and wait for me
 1. Meteor Crater, Arizona

Topographic Map
Satellite View
1. Draw a diagram of what this meteor crater could look like if seen from the side.
2. This crater exists in a very arid (dry) desert ecosystem. What agent of erosion do you predict would most likely reshape this
landform?
3. How do you predict this landform and its topographic map will change over time due to erosion and deposition?
2. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
 Topographic Map
Satellite View
1. Compare the satellite image on the left with the topographic map on the right. What agent of erosion appears to have caused the canyon landform?
2. What is the highest index contour line indicated on the topographic map? What is the contour interval of this map?
3. How will the contour lines change over next 50 years? 100 years?

3. Enchanted Rock, Texas

 Satellite View Topographic Map

1. What is the highest elevation indicated on the topographic map?

2. What side of Enchanted Rock has the steepest slope? What side of the Enchanted Rock has the gentlest slope?
3. How will Enchanted Rock’s elevation change over the next 50 years? Why?
 4. Pike’s Peak, Colorado

Satellite View Topographic Map

1. What is the contour interval of the topographic map?
2. What direction is the creek flowing? How do you know?
3. How will the creek reshape the topography of this portion of Pike’s Peak over the next 50 years?
 5. Mount Rainier, Washington

Topographic Map
Satellite View

1. Based on the labels and image in the satellite view, what type of crustal feature do you think Mount Rainier is? Why?
2. What is the highest point of elevation in this map? What is the contour interval of this map?
3. Mount Rainier is an active volcano. If there is an eruption, how could it reshape the topography of the land? Describe in terms of both its satellite image and
topographic map.

6. North Beach, Massachusetts

 2014
1984

1. Describe at least three (3) differences you see in the satellite images from 1984 to 2014.
2. What do you think caused the changes in the satellite images from 1984 to 2014? Be sure to include the words weathering, erosion, and deposition in your
explanation along with the possible agents for change.
3. If current trends continue, what do you predict a satellite image taken in 30 years (2044) will show? Be specific.

7. Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana

 2014
1984

1. Describe at least three (3) differences you see in the satellite images from 1984 to 2014.
2. What do you think caused the changes in the satellite images from 1984 to 2014? Be sure to include the words weathering, erosion, and deposition in your
explanation along with the possible agents for change.
3. What do you predict a satellite image taken in 30 years (2044) will show? Be specific.

8. Happisburgh, Norfolk, England

1. Describe at least three (3) differences you see in the birds-eye-view images from 1996 to 2012.
2. What do you think caused the changes in the images from 1996 to 2012? Be sure to include the words weathering, erosion, and deposition in your explanation
along with the possible agents for change.
3. How do you think the topographic map for this area has changed? What do you predict it will look like in 6 more years?