Worksheets and No Prep Teaching Resources
Worksheets and No Prep Teaching Resources
Reading Comprehension Worksheets
Soil
Earth Science
Mapping Rocks and Soil

Soil
Soil


Mapping Rocks and Soil
Print Mapping Rocks and Soil Reading Comprehension


Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 9 to 10
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   9.25

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    lowercase, topography, geologic, cartographers, geology, composition, catalogue, geologist, classify, text, indicate, incorporate, soils, addition, approximate, navigation
     content words:    National Resources Conservation Service, United States Department


Mapping Rocks and Soil
By Trista L. Pollard
  

1     If the Earth's surface changes, you can bet a cartographer will be there to map it. History tells us that maps are used mostly for navigation. However, scientists have found ways to incorporate maps into their studies about the Earth's rock formations and soil composition.
 
2     Geologic maps and soil maps are two types of maps used by scientists to study our planet's surface. Geologic maps show where different types of rocks or geologic units are located. Cartographers first design a base map of the area that is being studied. This map includes the topography or land features of the area so that it is easily identified. The base map is usually printed in light colors or gray lines. The actual geologic map is placed on top of the base map. Geologic units are classified according to age and type. Rocks of similar ages are labeled with shades of the same color group. There is also a code that helps scientists to recognize the age and type of geologic unit. The code usually begins with a capital letter with one or more lowercase letters that follow. The capital letter stands for the age of the rock in geologic periods, and the lowercase letters tell what type of rock is in that area.
 
3     In addition to rocks, geologic maps also show special land formations and symbols. Contact lines are drawn to show where two geologic units meet or contact. When scientists classify contacts, they are labeled as either depositional contacts or faults. Depositional contacts are rock layers that form on top of one another. You always hear about faults when scientists report about earthquakes. Rocks that move past each other are called faults. Geologic maps also include symbols for rock beds which indicate the direction and the angle of the bed. Strike symbols represent the direction of the rock bed. Dip symbols give the angle of tilt for the rock bed.

Paragraphs 4 to 5:
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Soil
             Soil


Earth Science
             Earth Science


More Lessons
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Science
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    Careers in Science  
 
    Caring for Earth  
 
    Clouds  
 
    Dinosaurs  
 
    Earth's Land  
 
    Earth  
 
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    Electricity  
 
    Energy  
 
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    Food Pyramid  
 
    Food Webs and Food Chain  
 
    Forces and Motion  
 
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    Life Science  
 
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    Magnets  
 
    Matter  
 
 
    Moon  
 
    Natural Disasters  
 
    Photosynthesis  
 
    Plant and Animal Cells  
 
    Plants  
 
    Rocks and Minerals  
 
    Science Process Skills  
 
    Scientific Notation  
 
    Seasons  
 
    Simple Machines  
 
    Soil  
 
    Solar System  
 
    Sound  
 
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    Sun  
 
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    Water Cycle  
 
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