4th Grade Science : Patterns of Earth's Features

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

This map shows Fire Island, which is off the coast of Long Island, New York. Fire Island has been studied since the 1800s, and using ariel photos and historical maps, the United States Geological Survey has been tracking both long-term and short-term changes to the island. This map is focused on long-term changes and identifies coastal shoreline changes from 1830 to 2007. 

Using the legend and provided map describe a pattern that can be identified.

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 8.47.28 am

 

Possible Answers:

The island is becoming wider over time.

The island has had no changes over the years.

The island is becoming more narrow over time.

The island has become shorter over the years.

Correct answer:

The island is becoming more narrow over time.

Explanation:

This ariel photo shows Fire Island, and each colored line shows how the shore has been changed over time. One noticeable pattern is that the shoreline became more narrow over time. When looking at the legend, the red lines represent 1830, and the blue line represents 2007. It can be seen that over time the lines are pushing closer and closer to the shoreline, and by 2007 the line is midway on the existing island.

Example Question #2 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

This is a map of different active volcanoes in California and their hazard levels and zones.

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 8.23.01 am

Based on the map provided, what pattern can be identified with the location of the volcanoes?

Possible Answers:

The most hazardous volcanoes are located in the northern part of the state.

The most hazardous volcanoes are located in the western part of the state.

There are no identifiable patterns on this map.

The most hazardous volcanoes are located in the southern part of the state.

Correct answer:

The most hazardous volcanoes are located in the northern part of the state.

Explanation:

Maps are a tool used to not only find locations and directions to a specific place but also a way to find patterns about Earth's landforms. When looking at this legend, we can see that the red triangles represent the most hazardous volcanoes in the state. Most of the high to very high hazard level volcanoes are located in Northern California. This pattern can be recognized based on the information from this map.

Example Question #3 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

Maps can be used to identify patterns. Is there a pattern related to volcanoes that produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher? If so, what is the trend?

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 8.23.01 am

Possible Answers:

Volcanoes with a higher hazard rating are more likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher.

Volcanoes with a lower hazard rating are more likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher.

Volcanoes with a higher hazard rating are less likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher.

There is no identifiable pattern within this map.

Correct answer:

Volcanoes with a higher hazard rating are more likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher.

Explanation:

Maps are an excellent tool for finding your way when lost but also for finding patterns. Many times certain areas have similar characteristics or landforms, and a map provides a visual representation of these patterns. The map provided shows the location of volcanoes in California, their hazard level, and what the areas around them may experience. A trend that emerges when looking at this map is that volcanoes with a higher hazard rating are more likely to produce ash in amounts of two inches or higher. Of the four volcanoes circled, three of them are high to very high hazard levels. This indicates a pattern.

Example Question #4 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

This map shows Fire Island, which is off the coast of Long Island, New York. Fire Island has been studied since the 1800s, and using ariel photos and historical maps, the United States Geological Survey has been tracking both long-term and short-term changes to the island. This map is focused on long-term changes and identifies coastal shoreline changes from 1830 to 2007. Crews have been working to restore part of the island, use the island as a barrier to protect landforms behind it, and create safe conditions for tourists.

Using the legend and provided map describe a pattern that can be identified.

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 10.26.29 am

Possible Answers:

The island has become broader over the decades.

The island has become longer over the decades.

There is no identifiable pattern in this map.

The island has become shorter over the decades.

Correct answer:

The island has become longer over the decades.

Explanation:

Maps are an excellent tool for identifying patterns in Earth's landforms. This map uses colored lines to show how the coast has changed on Fire Island over time. Starting with the red line, which represents 1830, the island was very short; it is extended in 1870, again in 1933, and so on. In 2007 the blue line showed how much longer the shoreline has become over the years. Scientists and environmental groups have been working to restore Fire Island and extend the shore for years. By dredging and redepositing the sand as well as building barriers and drainage, they have been able to extend Fire Island and help protect it.

Example Question #5 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

Below are maps of Dauphin Island which is off the coast of Alabama. The maps are models to show what would happen if the island faces less frequent and less intense tropical storms, moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms, and more frequent and more intense storms. What pattern can be described after viewing these maps?

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 10.41.41 am  

                                                    Less frequent and less intense storms  

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 10.45.08 am

                                     Moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms

Screen shot 2020 06 18 at 10.41.55 am

                                             More frequent and more intense storms

Possible Answers:

There are no identifiable patterns within these maps.

More island is eroded as storms become more frequent and intense.

Less island is eroded as storms become more frequent and intense.

More island is eroded as storms become less frequent and intense.

Correct answer:

More island is eroded as storms become more frequent and intense.

Explanation:

These maps are a great visual representation of what storms do to our barrier islands. Dauphin island is slowly being eroded daily by wind and waves, but intense tropical storms accelerate that damage. From the first map to the third map, a pattern can be identified. The island is eroded when faced with tropical storms. As the storms become more frequent and intense erosion is accelerated, and large pieces of the island are gone. The overall depth of the landform is also reduced due to severe, frequent storms.

Example Question #6 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

There are 169 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. This map indicates the location of these volcanoes using multi-colored triangles. The different colors indicate levels of concern based on data from scientists observing them.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 10.58.06 am

Based on the map, what pattern can be determined about the volcanoes' location?

Source: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html

Possible Answers:

Most of the United States' volcanoes are located around the Gulf of Mexico.

Most of the United States' volcanoes are located around Hudson Bay.

Most of the United States' volcanoes are located around the Labrador Sea.

Most of the United States' volcanoes are located around the Pacific Ocean.

Correct answer:

Most of the United States' volcanoes are located around the Pacific Ocean.

Explanation:

This map provides precise data in the form of a visual image about the location of volcanoes in the United States. The volcanoes are primarily located near the Pacific Ocean. The Western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii are the central locations of volcanoes and volcanic activity. This happens to be part of the "Ring of Fire," and these areas also experience higher rates of earthquake activity than other parts of the world.

Example Question #7 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

There are 169 potentially active volcanoes in the United States. This map indicates the location of these volcanoes using multi-colored triangles. The different colors indicate levels of concern based on data from scientists observing them.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 11.09.08 am

Based on this map, which state is most likely to experience volcanic activity?

Source: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/index.html

Possible Answers:

Oregon

Idaho

Montana

Wyoming

Correct answer:

Oregon

Explanation:

This map provides a visual representation of locations with volcanoes in the United States. When reviewing the map, a pattern emerges, Oregon is a state with a high concentration of volcanoes. Based on the four states provided in the answer choices, it is most likely that Oregon would experience volcanic activity due to the high number of active volcanoes.

Example Question #8 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

The two maps below display important information used to keep people safe. The first map is of the United States and its volcanic activity. Each triangle represents an active volcano being monitored by scientists.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 10.58.06 am

Source: https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards

The second map highlights what is known as the "Ring of Fire." The areas highlighted in red are zones of frequent earthquakes. The blue lines represent deep oceanic trenches.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 10.54.17 am

Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ring-fire

What pattern can be identified using both graphs?

Possible Answers:

The area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is the opposite to where most of the United States' volcanoes are located.

There is no recognizable pattern between the two graphs that were presented.

The same area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is where a majority of the United States' volcanoes are located.

The area on the "Ring of Fire" map highlighted in red represents a high number of hurricanes, as does each triangle on the other map.

Correct answer:

The same area highlighted on the "Ring of Fire" map is where a majority of the United States' volcanoes are located.

Explanation:

These two maps can be compared to find patterns in Earth's features. The areas highlighted in red on the "Ring of Fire" map represent high concentrations of earthquake activity. When looking at the map of volcanic locations in the United States, one may notice that the fall along the same line or path as the "Ring of Fire." This indicates a pattern in the area. Places located within the "Ring of Fire" are more likely to receive earthquakes and have volcanic activity.

Example Question #9 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

Below are maps of Dauphin Island which is off the coast of Alabama. The maps are models to show what would happen if the island faces less frequent and less intense tropical storms, moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms, and more frequent and more intense storms. After analyzing the three maps, which frequency and intensity of storms would lead to the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction?

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 11.32.20 am

 

Possible Answers:

There is no pattern, so a prediction cannot be made.

Moderate frequency and moderate-intensity storms

Less frequent and less intense tropical storms

More frequent and more intense storms

Correct answer:

Less frequent and less intense tropical storms

Explanation:

These maps are a great visual representation of what storms do to our barrier islands. Dauphin Island is slowly being eroded daily by wind and waves, but intense tropical storms accelerate that damage. From the first map to the third map, a pattern can be identified. The island is eroded when faced with tropical storms. As the storms become more frequent and intense erosion is accelerated, and large pieces of the island are gone. The overall depth of the landform is also reduced due to severe, frequent storms. 

Therefore, less frequent and less intense tropical storms would lead the LEAST amount of erosion and destruction to the islands.

 

Example Question #10 : Analyze And Interpret Data From Maps To Describe Patterns

A map of the tectonic plates of the Earth showing the different boundary types in different colors. In red are the areas where the tectonic plates collide. These areas are known as convergent boundaries. In yellow are the divergent boundaries, or places where the plates are spreading. If the plates slide past one another they are highlighted in orange.

Screen shot 2020 08 28 at 11.43.09 am

Source: The National Park Service

What pattern can be determined from this map?

Possible Answers:

In Africa is where most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the coast of Australia is where most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the convergent boundaries is where the most earthquake activity is focused.

Along the divergent boundaries is where the least earthquake activity is focused.

Correct answer:

Along the convergent boundaries is where the most earthquake activity is focused.

Explanation:

This map provides a lot of information in a small space. Breaking apart the visual and determining what patterns are present can help readers understand what is happening in different parts of the world. This map shows an overlap between yellow dots (earthquake activity) and the convergent boundaries. Putting this information together, we can determine that along the convergent boundaries is where most earthquake activity is focused.

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