Lab for Chapter 18
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Geography 132: Physical Geography-Natural Landscapes + Lab
Lab #9 (30 Points)
Chapter 18: The Geography of Soils
Ella Jolin
Soil and climate are inextricably linked.
They also are major contributors to how humans use the
land – this doesn’t mean that we’re necessarily limited by these factors nor does it mean we
always pay attention to them, either.
For this lab, we’re going to look at the American Dust Bowl, which is an excellent example of
the interplay between humans, soil, and climate – where things don’t always work out.
We’re going to watch three movies for this lab:
History Brief: The Dust Bowl
(04:04)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rBhbkvtm0
History Brief: Black Blizzards
(04:41)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep7-7x2sp8Y
The Plow that Broke the Plains
(25:24).
There are some long pauses in this clip, just
stick with it.
The whole thing is there in its entirety.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=fQCwhjWNcH8
1.
Before you watch these films, what do you know about the dust bowl (no wrong answers)?
1a.
What was it? (1 point)
The Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms that caused a lot of damage.
1b.
When was it? (1 point)
I believe it was the early 1900s
1c.
Where did it happen? (1 point)
I want to say it was in the south
1d.
Why did it happen? (1 point)
I can imagine severe dry spells and droughts could cause such damage
2.
What type of soil occurs the most in the western Great Plains (from your text)? Describe 3
characteristics of that soil type: (4 points)
The soil type that occurs most in the western Great Plains is known as "silt loam." Some
characteristics of this soil type include:
It has good moisture-retaining properties.
It has good fertility, making it suitable for agriculture.
It is often well-drained.
3.
The first movie we’ll watch is
History Brief: The dust bowl
(please use the video for the
answers since the internet can give slightly different answers).
3a.
What technology advances made farming easier and more productive?
What was the
problem with these farming practices? (2 points)
Advances like tractors, mechanized plows, and seed drills made farming easier and more
productive. The problem was that these technologies encouraged farmers to plow large areas
quickly, which led to over-farming, soil erosion, and the destruction of the natural grass cover
that helped hold the soil in place.
3b.
What year did the drought start and how long did it last? (2 points)
The drought began in the early 1930s, with the most severe years occurring from 1934 to 1937. It
lasted for several years during this period.
3c. What areas were most affected by the dust? (2 points)
The areas most affected by the dust storms were the southern Great Plains states, including
Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
3d. What efforts did the Civilian Conservation Corps make to correct conditions? How
successful where they? (2 points)
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was involved in various conservation efforts, including
planting trees to prevent soil erosion and developing irrigation projects. Their efforts had some
success in stabilizing the soil, but the scale of the Dust Bowl was immense, and it was a
challenging problem to address fully.
4.
The second movie is
History Brief: Black Blizzards
(please use the video for the answers
since the internet can give slightly different answers).
4a.
What are black blizzards and what where their height/ speed? (2 points)
Black blizzards were severe dust storms that carried enormous amounts of fine, black soil
particles. They could reach heights of thousands of feet and travel at speeds of up to 100 miles
per hour.
4b.
What event occurred on April 14,1935 (the name and a brief description)? (2 points)
April 14, 1935, is known for the "Black Sunday" dust storm. It was one of the most severe dust
storms of the Dust Bowl era and is famous for its massive scale and intensity.
4c. How much topsoil blew away during the years of dust storms? (2 points)
Approximately 400 million tons of topsoil were estimated to have blown away during the years
of the dust storms.
5.
The third movie is the original US propaganda movie that was mentioned in the American
Experience.
I like this one because it really shows more context about what was happening
around the world.
The insight you get from seeing a movie produced during the event is eye-
opening.
5a.
Do you think people today can learn anything from this movie created 75 years ago? (2
points)
Yes, people today can learn valuable lessons from this movie. It provides historical insights into
the Dust Bowl era and highlights the consequences of unsustainable agricultural practices and
environmental neglect. The film serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible land
management and sustainable agriculture.
5b.
Do you think the government should have helped the farmers? (2 points)
Yes, the government should have helped the farmers during the Dust Bowl. The farmers were
facing an unprecedented environmental crisis that was largely beyond their control. Government
intervention and support were necessary to provide relief and assistance to those affected by the
disaster.
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5c.
Do you think the government would create such a movie today? (2 points)
It's possible that the government might create a similar educational film today to address
environmental and agricultural issues, but the format and distribution methods might differ
from those used in the 1930s.
5d.
What was the most striking thing about the movie for you? (2 points)
I thought it was really jarring the visuals and the soundtrack that was played throughout the
documentary. The farming technology was shown with an quick cut to military technology
accompanied by the intense music really furthered the connections between war, technology, and
the Plains.