Page 400 - Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology
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C. Open Google Earth TM . Type coordinates “33 44 15 N, 116 25 W” into the search box and press enter to go to the location.
You should arrive at Rancho Mirage, California, a resort community located in a desert region.
1. Notice that Rancho Mirage has a triangular shape. Based on your work in part B , how was the landform beneath Rancho
Mirage formed?
2. Using your mouse, hover over the icons at the top of the Google Earth TM screen to find and select the “Show historical
imagery” feature. Use the slider to go back in time and view how Rancho Mirage has changed. Describe how it has
changed since 1996.
3. In July of 1979, a violent storm developed here and nearly six inches of rain fell on the San Jacinto Mountains, uphill from
Rancho Mirage. At that time, flood control at Rancho Mirage included a system of earthen channels and concrete walls
that were overwhelmed by a flash flood. Many homes were damaged and two lives were lost in the event. Analyze, recent
images of Rancho Mirage in Google Earth TM and describe any evidence of flood control measures.
4. Would you feel safe living at Rancho Mirage? Explain.
D. REFLECT & DISCUSS The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) points out that many
people live in drylands, and that more than half of the world’s productive land is dryland. The challenge is to manage the land
so that it does not degrade to useless desert that supports no agriculture, and to live safely. Based on your work above, make a
list of challenges that people face when they live in drylands, and some ways that the land could be managed to make it safer
and more productive.
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