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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

Visualizing the Louisiana Coast

Calculating slope (example):

Simple calculation:

If a house is located 1 km (1000 m) from the shoreline and is 1 meter above mean sea level, then the slope can be expressed as slope = rise/run = 1/1000 = .001 %

If we were to draw this on graph paper and use a scale of:
X axis: 1 square = 10 meters of horizontal distance so 100 squares = 1 km (1000m).
Y axis: 1 square = .2 meters of vertical distance (5 squares = 1 meter)
This slope can be expressed as a percentage or a decimal:
Slope = Rise/run
1/1000 = 0.001

Calculating the slope of the Louisiana Coastline at Isle de Jean Charles:

You will now use your measurements from Google Earth to plot the slope of the coast line. This will enable you to use a model to find projected storm surge levels with different storm strengths.

Use the grid on the next page to plot your distance from the -10 m point offshore to Isle de Jean Charles (your X axis. Choose a scale that fits the grid. 2 squares could represent 1 km.

On the Y axis you will plot the elevation. The lowest elevation will be -10 m and the highest is +2 m (the elevation above sea level of the levee around Isle de Jean Charles).

You will need to draw two "legs" of the slope: 1. from -10 m water depth to the shoreline (Timbalier Island), and 2. From the shoreline to Isle de Jean Charles. Your final slope will go from the -10 m depth to Isle de Jean Charles.

Use the guidelines above and below to help you complete the plot.

After completing your plot, calculate the slope as "rise over run"

Slope = _________ (add this number to your worksheet)



You will next use this number in the storm surge model.

Credit: from http://www.greatlittleminds.com/pages/maths/graph-paper/5mm-graph-paper.html

/earth107/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.earth107/files/Unit3/printable-graph-paper-5mm-sq.pdf (Acrobat (PDF) 954kB Sep7 16)

These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »