Page 279 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology

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A CTIVIT Y 9.1 Map and Google Earth Inquiry

Name: ______________________________________ Course/Section: ______________________ Date: ___________

A. Imagine that a friend has asked you, “Where are you located right now?” Give three different answers below:
1.

2.

3.
B. REFLECT & DISCUSS One of the oldest ways of describing a location on our spherical Earth is by using a coordinate
system of latitude and longtude like the one below. Latitude and longitude are both measured in degrees (°). Latitude is
measured from 0° at the Equator to 90°N (the North Pole) or 90°S (the South Pole). Longitude is measured in degrees east
or west of the prime meridian, an imaginary line that runs on Earth’s surface from the North Pole to the South Pole through
Greenwich, England. When viewed from above, locations between 0 and 180° east of the prime meridian are in the Eastern
Hemisphere, and locations between 0 and 180° west are in the Western Hemisphere. On the map below, notice how the
red location is identified as 30°N, 150°W. For points between labeled lines, the position can be estimated as done for the
blue location.
1. On the map below, lightly color in the country where you live. Refer to the reference map at the back of the lab manual

as needed.
2. Name a place of your choice to locate on the map (your current location, home, school, place of work, or other location).

This will be referred to as your “ home place ” in the inquiry items below.

3. Place a dot on the map to show approximately where your home place is located, then estimate its latitude and longitude
as already done for the red and blue points on the map.
Latitude: ______________________________ Longitude: ______________________________

4. Notice that the lines of latitude and longitude outline somewhat rectangular areas called quadrangles , like the one shaded
pale red on the map. Describe the location of the red quadrangle based on its latitude and longitude.
150° 120° 90° 60° 30° 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150°
90°N
Degrees
This point is North
30° N, 150° W Latitude
60°N

30°N

Equator
0° 0°
Prime Meridian 30°S

150° 120° 90° 60° 30° 0° 30° 60° 90° 120° 150°

60°S
This point is Degrees
20° S, 140° W South
90°S Latitude
Degrees West Longitude 0° Degrees East Longitude

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