A Closer Look at Natural Disasters Using GIS
Historical hurricane path data mapped to the globe.Copyright 2018 Kent Kurashima, using Google Earth Pro and historical hurricane data from Google Earth. U.S. Dept. of State Geographer, 2018 Google. 2009 GeoBasis-DE/BKG. Data SIO. NOAA, U.S. Navy, NGA, GEBCO
As if they are environmental engineers, student pairs are challenged to use Google Earth Pro (free) GIS software to view and examine past data on hurricanes and tornados in order to (hypothetically) advise their state government on how to proceed with its next-year budget—to answer the question: should we reduce funding for natural disaster relief? To do this, students learn about maps, geographic information systems (GIS) and the global positioning system (GPS), and how they are used to deepen the way maps are used to examine and analyze data. Then they put their knowledge to work by using the GIS software to explore historical severe storm (tornado, hurricane) data in depth. Student pairs confer with other teams, conduct Internet research on specific storms and conclude by presenting their recommendations to the class. Students gain practice and perspective on making evidence-based decisions. A slide presentation as well as a student worksheet with instructions and questions are provided.
Many types of engineers use GIS to reveal data patterns, process geographic information, and serve as spatial support systems. For example, engineers create, populate and use experiments and models to capture worldwide temperature data for forecasting purposes such as by generating GIS-made world heat maps to show and predict temperature changes at various locations. Engineers who work at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency use GIS to display data that shows how toxic chemicals travel through air—a data display that aids them in making decisions to keep people safe and to reduce the emission and transport of those chemicals for cleaner air.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain the difference between maps, GPS and GIS.
- Use GIS (Google Earth Pro) to reveal patterns in historical severe storm data and make real-world decisions and recommendations based on those patterns.