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Home > Education > Activities and Resources for Earth Science Teachers > Activity #9
Activity #9: Surficial Geologic Map of MaineOBJECTIVESTo have the students become familiar with the nature and use of the Surficial Geologic Map of Maine. To have them gain practice in using maps other than topographic ones. TIME NEEDEDAt least one class period. BACKGROUNDSurficial geology deals primarily with the geologically youthful, unconsolidated sedimentary materials that exist at, or close to the surface, of a specific area. Surficial geology is important because the surface deposits filter and control the access of water to the water table. They are also important for siting of waste disposal facilities and for resources such as sand, gravel, and clay. Mapping and correlating these deposits may also reveal a number of facts about the history of an area. A great many human activities take place on, or affect these surface deposits. Make certain that the inland boundary of the marine limit is noted accurately. This boundary is very significant since it marks the maximum extent of ocean level rise after the last glaciation. MATERIALSEach group of four students should have a copy of the surficial geology map of the state of Maine. These cost $4.73 each (this includes the tax) and are available, postpaid, from the Maine Geological Survey. Orders may also be picked up in the Survey office. Students will also need copies of the question sheets, plus pens and notebooks. Rulers and string may be helpful. PROCEDUREAfter a brief discussion/review of the nature of maps in which the scale, legend, and reading techniques are emphasized, students should break up into groups and, using their maps, answer the enclosed questions. SPECIAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONSNone FOLLOW-UPThe marine limit is a significant, determining factor in delineating the boundaries of wetlands. See Activity #36 (Wetlands). SOURCEActivity developed by Grant Connors, in conjunction with the 1991 CREST intern program. ANSWER KEY FOR PART 1. A. and B. on Student Sheet
Activity #9: Surficial Geologic Map of MainePURPOSETo develop familiarity with the Surficial Geologic Map of Maine. MATERIALSEach group of four students will need a copy of the Surficial Geologic Map of Maine, the enclosed data sheets, and notebooks and pens. PROCEDUREThe Surficial Geologic Map of Maine shows the geographic extent and shape of various sedimentary deposits. It has many uses, from helping to determine the location of wetlands, to selecting a location for a well, to locating sources of sand and gravel for construction purposes. These earth materials, such as sand, gravel, and clay, are much younger and easier to excavate than the solid bedrock that underlies them. Many of them were formed by glaciers that once covered Maine. Others were deposited more recently by wind, water, and accumulation of organic material. After reviewing the general nature of maps and the rules for reading them (be certain to look at the legend), use the surficial map to find the following information and answer the following questions. PART I. (A.) Identify the structures represented by the following symbols on the surficial map:
(B.) Identify the geologic units represented by the following.
(C.) Define in your own words the following:
PART II.I live in ___________________________, Maine. Find the location of your town or city on the surficial map and note the spot. Using the scale of 1 inch = 8 miles, locate the NEAREST example of each of the following features. Indicate the distance to these features "as the crow flies" from your town.
PART III. Use the data above to answer the following questions.1. How far away from the inland marine limit are you? Answer in inches and miles. __________________________________________________________________ 2. Would you have been on dry land or under water when the ocean extended inland to the "marine limit" line? Explain how you know this. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3. About how many thousand years ago would YOUR town have emerged from the melting glacial ice sheet. __________________________________________________________________ 4. What is the name of the sand and gravel ridges formed in tunnels that were carved by water running through or under the glacier? __________________________________________________________________ 5. What glacial features occur right around Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park? __________________________________________________________________ 6. Millinockett has a lot of "rm" and small pockets of "t". Were these materials formed in contact with the glacier or by streams flowing away from the ice? __________________________________________________________________ 7. What are the yellow areas found in the Penobscot River valley? __________________________________________________________________ 8. What areas of Maine might provide large clay deposits for making bricks and pottery? How can you tell this from the map? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 9. List five features found on the map around Presque Isle. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 10. Describe Mt. Desert Island in terms of what is shown on the map. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 11. What is the purpose of the small index map of Maine shown in the lower-right corner of the map sheet? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 12. What sites of special interest are within 100 miles (remember, 1 inch = 8 miles) of your town? List them. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 13. What is the oldest radiocarbon dated site in Maine? __________________________________________________________________ 14. Which map units might supply sand and gravel needed for road construction? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Last updated on October 6, 2005 |
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