topo mapIntroduction

Sea Level is the sea height relative to a benchmark on land. Sea level rise is an increase in sea height over a period of time such that fluctuations due to tides and waves are factored over time, e.g. months to years. Over the past decades, increases in sea surface height have been attributed to increases in temperature of the ocean due to global warming. As water is heated it expands, resulting in inundation of coastal areas. Additionally the melting of the ice caps contributes to the rise in sea height.

Storm Surge is the rise in sea height due to the “pushing” up of water onto land by winds contained in storms, such as hurricanes. Factors determining the height of the storm surge include the strength of the wind in the storm, speed of storm, and slope of the sea floor leading to the shore, and stage of tide (high or low).  For more information, visit the Hurricane Preparedness website's storm surge page.

Objectives

To explain what areas of the coast line will be flooded in a given number of years; to predict flooding from storm surges.

Materials

Procedure

Part 1.  Becoming familiar with topographic maps

1. Locate the following on your topographic map and note the color:

Land TypeMap Color
Water__________________
Forest__________________
Towns__________________
Agriculture__________________
Contour Lines__________________
Major Highway__________________
Secondary Road__________________
Buildings__________________

2. Using the non-permanent markers, trace the shoreline of the area, circle major buildings such as schools, churches, and mark several main roads.

Part 2.  Determining flooded areas from sea level rise

1. Using the information provided in the table below, determine the current rate of sea level rise in mm per year.

sea level rise rate


Rate of sea level rise, from various sources and sources combined. Source: IPCC, 2007

2. Determine how many years it will take to flood the areas listed below.

AreaYears to Flooding
School________________
Hospital________________
Major Highway________________
Secondary Road________________
Neighborhood________________

3. Using the graph below, determine how many meters the sea level will have risen by the year 2100 under a best case scenario (bottom of purple area) and worst case scenario (top of purple area).

sea level ipcc

 


Past estimates, current records, and future projections of sea level rise. Source: IPCC, 2007

4. Use the contour lines on your topographic map to draw in the new coastline after 100 years of sea level rise.

Part 3.  Determining flooded areas from a storm surge

1. Choose any coastal area from the US East Coast. Use one of the following websites to determine when high and low tide occur today in your area.

High Tide:_________

 

Low Tide:_________

2. A hurricane in your area produced a storm surge of 6 feet. Would the impact of the storm be greater or less if it hits land at 8:00 AM vs. 2:00 PM today?

 

Map Ordering Details

Maps can be ordered from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) map store. Be sure your maps are topographic maps with contours and get the educator discount, which is quite significant! 

Lesson Resources


word iconStudent Worksheet