Topographic Development & The Hot Spot
suggested grade levels: 9-12
view Idaho achievement standards for this lesson

Objectives:
1. Students will learn how to use the Digital Atlas.
2. Students will learn about some basic concepts about the Hot Spot and its influence on the land.

Procedure:
Give your students the opportunity to explore the topography and hot spot section of the Digital Atlas of Idaho. To get there: Click on Atlas Home, mouse-over Geology, then click on Topography and Hot Spot. Encourage your students to explore the links and read the pages on the Hot Spot. Then have students use their knowledge to answer the following questions. For a printable pdf copy of the handout you can give your students, just click below on Handout Sample.

Handouts/Activities:
These are links to access the handouts and printable materials.
geo24ho.pdf | Topography and Hot Spot

Handout Sample:
The sample questions below are shown in the printed handout.

The Yellowstone Hot Spot first appeared around 17 million years ago in northern Nevada. The North American continent has slowly moved southwestward while the Hot Spot has remained stationary. So relative to North America the Hot Spot has moved toward the Northeast. The Yellowstone Hot Spot has influenced much of the topography in Southern Idaho as well as the surrounding areas. This exercise will make you more knowledgeable about this Hot Spot.

1. What is the Continental Divide? How is it related to the Yellowstone Hot Spot?
2. Approximately when did the Snake River Plain begin to develop? Where was the Hot Spot at that time?
3. About how fast is the Yellowstone Hot Spot migrating? In what direction?

Related Lesson Topics:
Geology: Geology Topics