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How to Use Tools to Study Landforms

Earth is a mysterious place that people have studied since the beginning of human existence. The study of landforms can reveal information about the earth's history, as well as help people understand the geological regions of the planet. There are several types of maps that geologists, oceanographers, geomorphologists and other scientists use to study landforms. Scientists go into these regions and collect samples of the land to further examine the components of these samples in a laboratory.

Things You'll Need

Various maps you wish to study
Topographical map
Aerial photograph
Landstat Image
Digital elevation model

Instructions

Maps
- 1
  Select a topographical map for the region you wish to study. These maps are the first maps that were used for studying landforms because they could be drawn by surveyors. They are drawn with contour lines -- lines that circle around the base shape of landforms and which continue to be drawn inward at set intervals until they reach the most central location. View the number on each of the lines shaped like your landform to read this type of map. The numbers will rise or fall in a set interval of feet, miles or any other measurement and correspond to the the actual geographical height of the landform.
- 2
  Look at your aerial photograph. These are mosaic maps created by stitching together several photographs taken by plane. Because they are actual photographs, they are used to understand how an area appears to human eye from a certain distance.
- 3
  Compare your aerial photo with the digital elevation model. The digital photo of your region was created by computer that used radar satellite elevation data. Thus, it gives you an image that is more comprehensive because it is easy to tell where landforms rise and fall.
- 4
  Study your landstat image map. This map was created by a satellite that uses visible light and other electromagnetic wavelengths to emphasize the various features of the earth. This is beneficial when you need to know how human activity and natural processes have affected the planet. For example, different infrared wavelengths can tell you information on the amount and type of vegetation in the area.
- 5
  Download Google Earth. This project was released by Google to the public in 2005 and is now used by scientists, colleges and hobbyists the world over for studying landforms. Not only does it give you an accurate view of landforms, but also it allows you to save locations you have searched for, measure land and buildings, view populaces and create directions to various places. This is beneficial for studying where people decide to settle, and it determines which geological features may have drawn people toward a particular area.

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