Module 1, Activity IIA: Western New York Today

Essential Questions:

• What is the current topography of Buffalo Creek in Elma, NY?
• What geologic processes formed the current topography of Buffalo Creek in Elma, NY?

Engage:

(Download the free version Google Earth at http://earth.google.com/)

1. Find Elma, NY (Zip Code 14059) on Google earth (earth.google.com).
2. Find the intersection of Bullis Road and Girdle Road.
3. Find where the bridge on Bullis Road crosses Buffalo Creek (not labeled).
4. Follow the creek north zoom in and move on to the Explore section.

Explore:

1. Describe the topography of the area.
2. Describe the creek’s topography.
3. Explain how the creek may have formed the cliffs on each side of it through time.
4. Have any other geologic events over the past million years had an effect on the area? Explain.
5. Hypothesize about how the area may change in the near and distant future.

Explain:

View Waypoint 7 video clip.

View Waterfall video clip.

Supplemental Files: 

mid-devoian-fossils-M1AIIA.pdf