InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Assessments > World Campus: Online Only > Use Google Earth to Explore Coastal Communities at Risk of Flooding
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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

Use Google Earth to Explore Coastal Communities at Risk of Flooding

Google Earth Tour Directions:

  1. Open Google Earth if you already have it loaded on your computer. If you don't, go to the Google Earth download page and download the latest version for your computer.
  2. Download the city tour KMZ file (KMZ File 6kB Sep7 16) and open it in Google Earth. It will appear in the "Places" pane on the left of the screen. You will need to open the contents by checking the box next to the KMZ file name and clicking the arrow next to the box. You will need to open the folder containing all the locations by clicking on the folder icon. You will see a list of all the cities included in the tour - these are the cities ranked highly in the World Bank study.
  3. We will begin by touring two cities that appear on both World Bank lists: Guangzhou, China and New Orleans, LA. Check the boxes next to these cities in the Google Earth sidebar and keep the other cities unchecked for now.
  4. To fly to one of our cities of interest, click on the city name. We begin our tour by going to Guangzhou. We will be going to each city in turn and considering the similarities and differences between these places to better understand their ranking.
  5. Once you "arrive" at your destination city, follow the procedure below to explore and complete the table for each city.

Procedure:

  1. Use Google Earth to visit both Guangzhou and New Orleans. You have been provided with a KMZ file that contains all of the cities listed.
  2. For each place spend time looking at ground level views to gain an overview of the place in terms of its elevations; proximity to tidal water; the type of topography in the area (are there higher elevation places nearby?); presence of major river/ river delta; presence or absence of flood control structures. If you are not sure of something by making observations in Google Earth, read the profiles in the online materials, go to links to more profiles, and/ or search for specific information about the topic on the internet.
  3. Proceed to the "Assessments" folder. Open the Module 1 assessment and enter your answers to the questions found there. Important: Be sure to save your work and to click submit when completed. If you do not submit your assessment, it will not be graded.
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 »