This activity was designed for use in college-level introductory physical geology laboratories for for non-science majors. The class size unusually consists of around 25 students working in groups of 2-3 students. Most students complete this lab is 2-3 hours.

Some basic background and understanding of extrusive igneous rocks formation may be useful, but can be taught during this lab if needed.

This activity is part of a series of introductory laboratory exercises but also works well as a stand-alone exercise.

Learn to create a topographic map
Create a topographic profile
Interpret important topographic map features
Experience visualizing topography in 3-D using digital data

Visualize a 2-D map in 3-D
Measure bearings in degrees for topographic map navigation
Measure of length, and calculation of relief and slope from a topographic map
Learn relation of map scale to the real world

Understand history of volcanic deformation of Mt. Saint Helens

This geology lab is designed to teach students the basic skills needed to read, construct, and interpret topographic maps. The goal of this lab is to help students build direct connections between the topography and volcanic history of Mt. St. Helens.

The lab is split into four sections. The first section aids students in the construction of a simple topographic map of the pyramid of Khafre. The second section introduces students to basic topographic map features. The third section contains a series of questions and calculations students can complete by examining the USGS topographic map of Mt. St. Helens. The final section enables students to visualize Mt. St. Helens in 3D and make interpretations about the history of both the 1980 eruption and its recent volcanic activity.

This is a graded lab. A point distribution (out of 100 points) and answers to each lab question are included in the answer key.

A Volcano Rekindled: The Renewed Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2004–2006
http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1750/

Rebuilding Mount St. Helens
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2006/2928/

A New Perspective on Mount St. Helens—Dramatic Landform Change and Associated Hazards at the Most Active Volcano in the Cascade Range
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3008/

USGS Fact Sheet: Mount St. Helens – From the 1980 Eruption to 2000
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs036-00/ (more info)

Geologic Map of the Sasquatch Steps Area, North Flank of Mount St. Helens, Washington
http://geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/i-map/i2463/

360 ° Panoramic View of Mount St. Helens Crater
http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen6/f34-Mt-St-Helens.html

Teacher's Corner – Mt. Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/education/teachers-corner/library/nasa-aster-series.shtml

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/