Patterns of Earth's Features - 4th Grade Science

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Question

This map shows Fire Island, which is off the coast of Long Island, New York. Fire Island has been studied since the 1800s, and using ariel photos and historical maps, the United States Geological Survey has been tracking both long-term and short-term changes to the island. This map is focused on long-term changes and identifies coastal shoreline changes from 1830 to 2007.

Using the legend and provided map describe a pattern that can be identified.

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Answer

This ariel photo shows Fire Island, and each colored line shows how the shore has been changed over time. One noticeable pattern is that the shoreline became more narrow over time. When looking at the legend, the red lines represent 1830, and the blue line represents 2007. It can be seen that over time the lines are pushing closer and closer to the shoreline, and by 2007 the line is midway on the existing island.

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Question

This is a map of different active volcanoes in California and their hazard levels and zones.

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Based on the map provided, what pattern can be identified with the location of the volcanoes?

Answer

Maps are a tool used to not only find locations and directions to a specific place but also a way to find patterns about Earth's landforms. When looking at this legend, we can see that the red triangles represent the most hazardous volcanoes in the state. Most of the high to very high hazard level volcanoes are located in Northern California. This pattern can be recognized based on the information from this map.

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Question

Maps can be used to identify patterns. Is there a pattern related to volcanoes that produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher? If so, what is the trend?

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Answer

Maps are an excellent tool for finding your way when lost but also for finding patterns. Many times certain areas have similar characteristics or landforms, and a map provides a visual representation of these patterns. The map provided shows the location of volcanoes in California, their hazard level, and what the areas around them may experience. A trend that emerges when looking at this map is that volcanoes with a higher hazard rating are more likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher. Of the four volcanoes circled, three of them are high to very high hazard levels. This indicates a pattern.

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Question

This map shows Fire Island, which is off the coast of Long Island, New York. Fire Island has been studied since the 1800s, and using ariel photos and historical maps, the United States Geological Survey has been tracking both long-term and short-term changes to the island. This map is focused on long-term changes and identifies coastal shoreline changes from 1830 to 2007. Crews have been working to restore part of the island, use the island as a barrier to protect landforms behind it, and create safe conditions for tourists.

Using the legend and provided map describe a pattern that can be identified.

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Answer

Maps are an excellent tool for identifying patterns in Earth's landforms. This map uses colored lines to show how the coast has changed on Fire Island over time. Starting with the red line, which represents 1830, the island was very short; it is extended in 1870, again in 1933, and so on. In 2007 the blue line showed how much longer the shoreline has become over the years. Scientists and environmental groups have been working to restore Fire Island and extend the shore for years. By dredging and redepositing the sand as well as building barriers and drainage, they have been able to extend Fire Island and help protect it.

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Question

Below are maps of Dauphin Island which is off the coast of Alabama. The maps are models to show what would happen if the island faces less frequent and less intense tropical storms, moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms, and more frequent and more intense storms. What pattern can be described after viewing these maps?

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Less frequent and less intense storms

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Moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms

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More frequent and more intense storms

Answer

These maps are a great visual representation of what storms do to our barrier islands. Dauphin island is slowly being eroded daily by wind and waves, but intense tropical storms accelerate that damage. From the first map to the third map, a pattern can be identified. The island is eroded when faced with tropical storms. As the storms become more frequent and intense erosion is accelerated, and large pieces of the island are gone. The overall depth of the landform is also reduced due to severe, frequent storms.

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Question

There are 169 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. This map indicates the location of these volcanoes using multi-colored triangles. The different colors indicate levels of concern based on data from scientists observing them.

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Based on the map, what pattern can be determined about the volcanoes' location?

Source: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html

Answer

This map provides precise data in the form of a visual image about the location of volcanoes in the United States. The volcanoes are primarily located near the Pacific Ocean. The Western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii are the central locations of volcanoes and volcanic activity. This happens to be part of the "Ring of Fire," and these areas also experience higher rates of earthquake activity than other parts of the world.

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Question

There are 169 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. This map indicates the location of these volcanoes using multi-colored triangles. The different colors indicate levels of concern based on data from scientists observing them.

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Based on this map, which state is most likely to experience volcanic activity?

Source: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html

Answer

This map provides a visual representation of locations with volcanoes in the United States. When reviewing the map, a pattern emerges, Oregon is a state with a high concentration of volcanoes. Based on the four states provided in the answer choices, it is most likely that Oregon would experience volcanic activity due to the high number of active volcanoes.

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Question

The two maps below display important information used to keep people safe. The first map is of the United States and its volcanic activity. Each triangle represents an active volcano being monitored by scientists.

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Source: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards

The second map highlights what is known as the "Ring of Fire." The areas highlighted in red are zones of frequent earthquakes. The blue lines represent deep oceanic trenches.

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Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ring-fire

What pattern can be identified using both graphs?

Answer

These two maps can be compared to find patterns in Earth's features. The areas highlighted in red on the "Ring of Fire" map represent high concentrations of earthquake activity. When looking at the map of volcanic locations in the United States, one may notice that the fall along the same line or path as the "Ring of Fire." This indicates a pattern in the area. Places located within the "Ring of Fire" are more likely to receive earthquakes and have volcanic activity.

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Question

Below are maps of Dauphin Island which is off the coast of Alabama. The maps are models to show what would happen if the island faces less frequent and less intense tropical storms, moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms, and more frequent and more intense storms. After analyzing the three maps, which frequency and intensity of storms would lead to the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction?

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Answer

These maps are a great visual representation of what storms do to our barrier islands. Dauphin Island is slowly being eroded daily by wind and waves, but intense tropical storms accelerate that damage. From the first map to the third map, a pattern can be identified. The island is eroded when faced with tropical storms. As the storms become more frequent and intense erosion is accelerated, and large pieces of the island are gone. The overall depth of the landform is also reduced due to severe, frequent storms.

Therefore, less frequent and less intense tropical storms would lead the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction to the islands.

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Question

A map of the tectonic plates of the Earth showing the different boundary types in different colors. In red are the areas where the tectonic plates collide. These areas are known as convergent boundaries. In yellow are the divergent boundaries, or places where the plates are spreading. If the plates slide past one another they are highlighted in orange.

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Source: The National Park Service

What pattern can be determined from this map?

Answer

This map provides a lot of information in a small space. Breaking apart the visual and determining what patterns are present can help readers understand what is happening in different parts of the world. This map shows an overlap between yellow dots (earthquake activity) and the convergent boundaries. Putting this information together, we can determine that along the convergent boundaries is where most earthquake activity is focused.

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Question

This is a topographical map of the United States. There are many landforms visible on the map and are either color-coded or textured. River, lakes, and oceans can be seen in blue. Green represents forests and wooded areas. Where the map looks rippled or almost three-dimensional are mountain ranges and elevation.

Which answer choice describes patterns of Earth's features that can be identified with this map?

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Answer

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different features and landforms that the United States has to offer. Some parts of the country are mountainous, others have large bodies of water, and an ocean surrounds some. One pattern that can be observed from reviewing this map is that the midwest is devoid of forested areas and elevation. The center of America is primarily white, with some rivers crossing through. It is an area that is not mountainous and does not have vast forests. The Eastern and Western US both feature elevation and mountains.

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Question

This is a topographical map of the United States that shows the earthquake fault lines. The red, orange, and purple lines represent areas at risk for earthquakes. Based on this map what patterns can you describe regarding the United States' earthquake fault lines?

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Answer

This topographical map allows the readers to see patterns in the Earth's landforms. The earthquake faults are red, orange, and purple and they can be seen focused on the Western side of the United States. There are some earthquake faults off the coast of Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, but they are primarily located on the West Coast. Using maps like these are beneficial for identifying patterns and finding details to describe them.

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Question

This is a topographical map that identifies where there are active wildfires. Anywhere there is a red, black, purple, or blue dot there is a burning fire. How could the locations of the fires be described?

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Answer

This topographical map shows the active fires that are taking place in the United States. A circle on the map represents each fire. When looking at the map, there are no fires on the East Coast or in the South. The fires are focused on the West Coast, in the Midwest, and the Southwest United States. There are patterns to the locations of the fires. Where they are grouped may represent something happening in that part of the world, a change in the environment, or the type of landscape found in that area. These patterns can be explored to find connections and make predictions.

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Question

These maps show the before and after of a wildfire. The dark green represents dense forest, red areas are burnt, and the white areas are active fires. Based on the provided maps, how can you describe the fires?

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Answer

These maps provide a shocking visual of how an area can change so quickly. These pictures were only taken about two weeks apart, but there is such a difference. The fires were burning on the Eastern or right side of the first and are continuing to burn on the Northern or upper area of the forest. If there are other forests in the area or this fire reoccurs, the maps can be studied for patterns and connections.

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Question

Patterns can be used as evidence to support an explanation.

Answer

This statement is true. An example of using patterns as evidence to support an explanation is looking at maps and finding connections or repetitive data. If a researcher looks at an ariel map of an island over 100 years and it is consistently eroding, predictions can be made about the future erosion of the island. If a city planner is requesting funding for the island to be restored the patterns of erosion would support the explanation and request.

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Question

This is a topographical map of the United States. There are many landforms visible on the map and are either color-coded or textured. River, lakes, and oceans can be seen in blue. Green represents forests and wooded areas. Where the map looks rippled or almost three-dimensional are mountain ranges and elevation.

Which answer choice describes patterns of Earth's features that can be identified with this map?

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Answer

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different features and landforms that the United States has to offer. Some parts of the country are mountainous, others have large bodies of water, and an ocean surrounds some. One pattern that can be observed from reviewing this map is that the western US has many areas of elevation and large forested areas. The midwest portion of America is primarily white, with some rivers crossing through. It is an area that is not mountainous and does not have vast forests. The southern US has many forested areas but is lacking elevation.

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Question

This is a topographical map of the United States that shows the earthquake fault lines. The red, orange, and purple lines represent areas at risk for earthquakes. Based on this map, what patterns can you describe regarding the United States' earthquake fault lines?

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Answer

This topographical map allows the readers to see patterns in the Earth's landforms. The earthquake faults are red, orange, and purple, and they can be seen focused on the Western side of the United States. There are some earthquake faults off the coast of Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi in the southern US as well. Using maps like these are beneficial for identifying patterns and finding details to describe them. The United States as a whole, including the southern US and the western US, is NOT devoid of earthquake fault lines, so none of the answer choices are correct.

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Question

This is a topographical map of the United States. There are many landforms visible on the map and are either color-coded or textured. River, lakes, and oceans can be seen in blue. Green represents forests and wooded areas. Where the map looks rippled or almost three-dimensional are mountain ranges and elevation.

If someone wanted to move to a forested area of the United States, what area would be best?

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Answer

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different features and landforms that the United States has to offer. Some parts of the country are mountainous, others have large bodies of water, and an ocean surrounds some. If someone is looking to move to a place with forested and wooded areas they could move to the western US, southeastern US, or the northeastern US. All of these areas are featured in green which indicated forests and woods.

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Question

True or False: Some kinds of landforms, such as mountains and valleys, don't change.

Answer

The statement in the question is false. Landforms are always changing, and patterns can be seen in their structures over time. Mountains are massive, so they don’t seem to change, but they are changing all the time. Slowly, over many years, tall, pointed mountains can be worn down until they are lower and more rounded.

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Question

NASA has captured information and created a global map of forest height from around the world. (The image is pictured below.) What pattern can be identified from the map?

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Answer

This map is an excellent choice for viewing all of the different continents and their concentration of tall trees in one visual. Some continents have areas with broad groupings of high canopies while others are bare and colored in white to represent no trees. A pattern that can be identified from this map is that South America has an enormous concentration of tall trees. Northern Africa has no colored parts signifying no tall trees, Australia has some tall canopies on the East coast. Still, it is overall bare, and North America has many mixed height forests.

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