Scribd
Upload
70 views6 pages

Sea Level Change Assignment

The document provides instructions for completing an assignment on a NOAA website about sea level change. It involves answering multiple choice questions at different levels that assess understanding of concepts like historical sea level averages, maps of sea surface height differences, tidal patterns, and how sea level rise could impact populated coastal areas. The assignment culminates in using tide data and moon phase information to analyze how the lunar cycle may have influenced flooding severity during a hurricane.

Uploaded by

Megan Reilly
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
70 views6 pages

Sea Level Change Assignment

The document provides instructions for completing an assignment on a NOAA website about sea level change. It involves answering multiple choice questions at different levels that assess understanding of concepts like historical sea level averages, maps of sea surface height differences, tidal patterns, and how sea level rise could impact populated coastal areas. The assignment culminates in using tide data and moon phase information to analyze how the lunar cycle may have influenced flooding severity during a hurricane.

Uploaded by

Megan Reilly
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Sea Level Change Assignment

Go to this website: https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?


appid=bc85d84410054ad5b314a2a8e417fd63

STEP 1: Introduction

Read the introductory information and watch the video clip

STEP 2:

The level tabs are at the top of the page.

Click on Level 1 and answer the following questions:

*HIGHLIGHT THE CORRECT ANSWER

Question 1: What is the mean of the height values in the table?

0.1
0.2
0.3
0.5

Question 2: What is the deviation between measurement #3 and the mean?

-0.1
0
0.1
0.2

Question 3: What is the deviation between measurement #6 and the mean?

-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
STEP 3: Level 2

Click on the Level 2 tab and answer the following questions:

Question 1: The yellow and orange colors on the map represent areas where:

the sea surface height is roughly the same as the historical mean height
the water is warmer than normal
sea levels are rising
the sea surface height is higher than the historical mean height

Question 2: In January 2016, what was the approximate SSHD off the coast of Los
Angeles, USA?

0.2 meters
0.1 meters
-0.1 meters
-0.4 meters

Question 3: Is the sea level in the Western Pacific generally higher or lower than the mean
sea level?

Higher
Lower

Question 4: What is the major difference between the two maps?

Areas of high and low switched between the two years.


The Eastern Pacific is lower in 2016 than in 1993.
All areas of the Pacific increased in mean sea surface height.
Areas of higher than normal mean sea surface height are more common in 2016.
Question 5: Which areas of the world are experiencing the highest degree of sea level
rise?
North Atlantic
South Atlantic
Eastern Pacific
Western Pacific

Question 6: Which areas have the highest population density?

Asia
Europe
North America
Africa

Discussion: How might global sea-level rise impact populated areas around the world?

It could put people’s lives at risk and drown neighborhoods and flood many places.

STEP 4: LEVEL 3

Click on the level 3 tab and answer the following questions:

Question 1: During a full moon, tides are:

Lower than normal


About average height
Higher than normal
There are no tides during a full moon

Discussion: how will the phase of the Moon in the second half of the month (waning phases) affect
the tidal height?
The tidal buldge will decrease until it reaches a minimum at low neat tides.

Question 2: How will the changing phases of the Moon affect the tidal height during the
week of October 16?

As the moon approaches the quarter phase, tides become more extreme.
As the moon approaches the quarter phase, tides become less extreme.
Answering a Question With Tide Data

Your Question: What’s likely the BEST date and time to see horseshoe crab spawning in May
2016? Spring

STEP 5:

How much can tides influence the severity of flooding during a hurricane?

1. Make a Claim:

1. Use the internet and search for news stories using keywords such as 'flooding' and
'hurricanes. Here is a link to our local paper, The Post and Courier. This series is
about the flooding issues: https://www.postandcourier.com/rising-waters/

2. Determine the date for when that flooding event occurred.

September 30th, October 1st, 2022

3. Next, develop a claim about the impact of the lunar cycle on the severity of flooding
during the hurricane. Example: The tides caused flooding from Hurricane Dorian to
be more severe in West Palm Beach, Florida

I don’t think the lunar cycle will affect the tides because the moon was a crescent
moon during Hurricane Ian, in Charleston SC.

2. Collect Evidence: To answer your question, use the data tool to create a tide chart.

1. Use the Tide Data tool and zoom into the area near the storm.
2. Select (click) one of the colored markers closest to the area you are studying.
3. Inside the small pop-up window, click ‘More info.’
4. Scroll down the page and change the date range to include the dates around the time of the
storm. Include at least 2 days before and after the storm occurred.
5. Click the ‘Plot’ button.

3. Analyze the data: Use the tide chart to help record your observations and analyze the data.

1. Use the Moon Phase Calendar to determine the moon phase for that date.
2. You may optionally use the Tide Data tool to go back to that same week in the previous
year and find the date with the same moon phase as the date of the flood. Assess the effect
of the storm above 'normal' conditions the year prior.

The lunar cycle didn’t really affect the tides because the moon was a crescent
moon on the days of Hurricane Ian, in Charleston SC.

You might also like