This interactive map displays sea level rise data and the effects of sea-level rise on marsh areas and vulnerable populations throughout the United States.
Students are also able to view sea level rise projections for various coastal cities through 2100.
Teaching Tips
Positives
Students can zoom in on the map to view specific regions, states, or cities.
The resource includes photo simulations showing how flooding could impact local landmarks in the future.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with sea level rise and how to read maps.
Students should be comfortable with technology and navigating an interactive website.
Before clicking launch, there are some helpful resources to check out, including an introduction video and frequently asked questions.
Differentiation
Students can explore the map individually or with a partner. Lower-level students may benefit from having a partner to help them understand and successfully navigate the simulations.
Students can each be given a different coastal state to explore using the interactive.
If you live in a coastal area, this is a very useful resource to identify the future challenges your community will face due to sea level rise.
Scientist Notes
Datasets used in the map are accurate. Students can visualize to explore the level of sea rise in areas of interest. The resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-ESS3-5 Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.
HS-ESS3-6 Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.2.6-8 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions, and changes in their environmental characteristics.
D2.Geo.9.9-12 Evaluate the influence of long-term climate variability on human migration and settlement patterns, resource use, and land uses at local-to-global scales.
