WETMAAP Technique 5
Cape Hatteras: Element 3

Technique 5: Determining Rates of Change
Element 3: Trends

Materials:

1:24,000 Cape Hatteras-Buxton Topographic Map with four (4) attached overlays
New lighthouse location from Skill 1, Element 7
ruler
calculator
graph paper

Exercise:

1. Complete the table by measuring the distance in feet between each date (along the same line as used in Technique 5, Element 3).

 1852 - 1872  1872 - 1917  1917 -1946/47  1946/47-1975  1975 - 1980  1980 - 1983  1983 - 1990
 distance in feet  feet per year  distance in feet  feet per year  distance in feet  feet per year  distance in feet  feet per year  distance
in feet		  feet per year  distance in feet  feet per year  distance in feet  feet per year
 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

2. Use the graph paper to graph the "Distance in Feet" category for each time period. Use calculations from the above table.

On the graph paper:

x axis = years

y axis = distance in feet

3. Use the "Feet per year" category for each time period; calculate the average "Feet per year."

4. Plot the average "Feet per year" point on the graph paper at the 1990 year. Draw the average "Feet per year" line from 1852 to 1990 and label the line.

5. Draw a best fit line for the "Distance in feet" graph.