You need to print out the map sheet on the last page of the assignment instructions. You will need to submit an image of this annotated figure with your assignment. Read the questions carefully and make sure you annotate the map where instructed. If you do not submit the map figure your assignment will not be graded. If you do not submit the map sheet your assignment will not be graded and you will receive a zero. All I have described is the instructions posted by my professor. In addition, this assignment is relating to the river evolution. You need to read the instructions and questions carefully in the assignment. I will attach an PDF file so you can start to work on it. I expect you to assure a high grade on this assignment.
Geol 1202 Planet Earth
Assignment – river evolution
In Lecture Ten we looked at how running water in rivers and streams can transport sediment, and how the
processes of erosion and deposition play a role in shaping almost every landscape on Earth. In this
assignment we will look at one river system in particular. You will be called upon to use your skills in
reading maps and contours that you gained from Module 2; if you have forgotten some of the rules for
contours then take a quick look at the module again.
We will be looking at the area around Wolfville and New Minas, Nova Scotia, as shown in this image from
Google Earth. On it you can see several rivers, a number of tributaries, several lakes, and to the
Northeast the edge of the Minas Basin.
If you have access to Google Earth or even Google Maps you
should try looking at this region to get ab etter feel for the area.
I have indicated with a red box where in Nova Scotia this region is
located on the Nova Scotia Geology Map at the left.
The Google image is just to show you the region; since it does not contain the information you will need
for the assignment.
You will actually be using two types of maps, a topographic and a geological, which you should be familiar
with from Module 2. (These are also available in the Media Library in the Table of Contents). These online
versions allow you to zoom in on specific areas so you will be able to see the details.
You should make sure you can view these maps on your computer as you will be required to switch
between them to complete the assignment.
I have provided the critical part of the topo map for you; some questions will require you to draw on it and
submit a photograph so you will need to print it before you start work.
What do I do?
First, lets get located on the map figure.
Find the Cornwallis River on the figure.
Question 1: What direction does the water in the Cornwallis River flow? (use quadrants e.g. north,
south, northwest, etc.). Draw arrows on or near the river on your printed map sheet indicating the
direction the water is flowing.
The Cornwallis River empties into the Minas Basin. Locate the mouth of the river.
Question 2: Label the edge of the Minas Basin on your figure.
Open the Wolfville Geological Map and locate the Cornwallis River on it. (You will need to refer to the map
legend for the next questions.)
Question 3: What is the name of the formation that the underlies the river for most of its distance
on the map?
Question 4: What type of rocks are they (eg. igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary)?
Locate the Gaspereau River (you should be able to use either the topo map or the geologic map).
Question 5: What direction does the water in the Gaspereau River flow? (use quadrants e.g. north,
south, northwest, etc.) Draw arrows on or near the river on your printed map sheet indicating the
direction the water is flowing.
Question 6: The Gaspereau River also empties into the Minas Basin. Indicate the mouth the river
on your printed map sheet.
Open the Wolfville Geological Map and locate the Gaspereau River on it.
Question 7: What is the name of the formations that the underlie the river for most of its distance
on the map (there should be four of them)?
Question 8: What type of rocks are each of them (eg. igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary)?
Next locate the Black River in the southwest corner of the map, just north of Lumsden Pond. Notice that
the valley is quite deep; there are several contour lines, close together, on each side of the river.
Question 9: What direction does the water in the Black River flow? (use quadrants e.g. north,
south, northwest, etc.). Draw arrows on or near the river on your printed map sheet indicating the
direction the water is flowing.
Next find White Rock Mills; where the Black River joins the Gaspereau River.
Now look at the area immediately north of White Rock Mills; there is a large valley called Deep Hollow.
Looking at the contours you can see that it is about as deep as the Black River Valley, so one might
expect a large river to flow along Deep Hollow, but there is none. Instead, there is the very small Hancock
Brook.
Question 10: What direction does the water in the Hancock Brook flow? (use quadrants e.g. north,
south, northwest, etc.) Draw arrows on or near the brook on your printed map sheet indicating the
direction the water is flowing.
Question 11: Where does Hancock Brook empty its water (where is the mouth of the Brook) – give
the name of the feature? Also indicate the mouth on the printed map sheet.
Your observations of these rivers and their tributaries should suggest to you that in the past, perhaps a
few thousand years ago, the Black River followed a different path then it does now.
Question 12: What path do you think it used to take? (describe it).
Question 13: What process might have diverted the waters of the Black River?
What do I submit?
You should submit the answers to the questions along with a photo or scan of your annotated map
printout. Make sure that the image is readable. Take note that if you do not submit the photo of your
printed map your assignment will not be graded and you will receive a zero.
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