Environmental Science, 10th Edition (Cunningham)

Chapter 5: Biomes: Global Patterns of Life

GE Exercise: Barrier Island

<a onClick="window.open('/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=jpg::::/sites/dl/free/8888888555/484165/google.jpg','popWin', 'width=210,height=178,resizable,scrollbars');" href="#"><img valign="absmiddle" height="16" width="16" border="0" src="/olcweb/styles/shared/linkicons/image.gif"> (34.0K)</a>

Take a virtual field trip with Google Earth!
Google Earth is a free, online application that uses satellite imagery to allow the user to zoom across the globe in a realistic, virtual environment. Downloading Google Earth is free at http://www.earth.google.com.

An overview manual is available by clicking here... Google Earth Overview (342.0K)

To continue:
- Make sure you have the Google Earth software installed and running.
- Copy the following latitude and longitude and paste into the "Fly to" field under the Search tab.
- Hit “Enter” for Google Earth to take you to the specified coordinates, then come back here and read the following overview.

Latitude/Longitude: 37.875, -75.3678

Overview: Barrier Island, p. 109

This is the south end of a barrier island that protects nearly the entire length of the Maryland coast on the Atlantic. Notice how the ocean side of the island is a narrow but straight beach, while the landward side is marshy and highly variable in width. You can see how the wetlands on the lagoon side of the island provide a rich nursery for wildlife. Immediately to the west of this end of this island is another that will be familiar to readers of Margaret Henry's Misty of Chincoteague.

1
 What is this long, narrow barrier island?
A) Assateague Island
B) Chincoteague Island
C) Piney Island
D) Morris Island
E)Angel Island
2
What is the name of the smaller island west of the barrier island?
A)Assateague Island
B)Chincoteague Island
C)Piney Island
D)Morris Island
E)Angel Island
3
Why is the town located on the smaller Chincoteague Island instead of being on the Assateague barrier island?
A)The barrier island was considered sacred by the Native Americans and they prohibited development there.
B)The barrier island rests on bedrock that is gradually being uplifted by tectonic forces; until 50 years ago, it was completely submerged.
C)A lack of fresh water on the barrier island has always made it uninhabitable.
D)Chincoteague is protected by Assateague from winds, waves, and storms on the open ocean, so Chincoteague is a more stable place to inhabit.
E)The property owners on Assateague ran out of funds and declared bankruptcy before they were able to develop the barrier island as planned.
4
What is a barrier island composed of?
A)Barrier islands are composed of bedrock uplifted along faults parallel to the coastline.
B)Barrier islands are the remnants of dead coral reefs that thrived millions of years ago when the climate was warmer.
C)Barrier islands are composed of sand that shifts along the continental shoreline with currents and storms.
D)Barrier islands were artificially constructed by dumping sand and rock carried down the coast in barges.
E)Barrier islands are composed of the waste products from historical mining operations. Feedback:
5
Barrier islands are good locations for building sites because of the spectacular scenery and general stability of the islands over time.
A)True
B)False
Environemental Science Cover
Glencoe Online Learning CenterScience HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe

Please read our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice before you explore our Web site. To report a technical problem with this Web site, please contact the Web Producer.