{"id":1447,"date":"2016-04-14T23:03:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-14T23:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/geologyxwaymakerxmaster\/?post_type=chapter&p=1447"},"modified":"2025-10-13T16:38:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T16:38:57","slug":"reading-latitude-and-longitude","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/geo\/chapter\/reading-latitude-and-longitude\/","title":{"raw":"Reading: Location and Direction","rendered":"Reading: Location and Direction"},"content":{"raw":"
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If you found this feature while out in the field, could you find it again?<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1572\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"351\"]\"The Figure 1. Old Faithful[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re going to make observations of geological features, you\u2019re going to need to know the\u00a0location<\/span> where you are so you can mark it on a map. If you find a rock formation filled with gold, you\u2019ll want to be able to find the location again!\r\n\r\nYou may need to tell someone when your truck gets stuck when you\u2019re in the field so you\u2019ll need a direction\u00a0<\/span>to give them.\r\n

The photo in figure 1\u00a0is of Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Let\u2019s explore just a few of the ways we can pinpoint the location of this famous geological icon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

Location<\/h2>\r\n

How would you find Old Faithful? One way is by using latitude<\/span> and longitude<\/span>. Any\u00a0location<\/strong> on Earth\u2019s surface \u2014 or on a map \u2014 can be described using these coordinates. Latitude and longitude are expressed as degrees that are divided into 60 minutes. Each minute is divided into 60 seconds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Latitude<\/h3>\r\n

A look on a reliable website shows us that Old Faithful Geyser is located at N44o<\/sup>27\u2019 43\u2019\u2019. What does this mean?<\/p>\r\n

Latitude<\/strong> tells the distance north or south of the Equator<\/span>. Latitude lines start at the Equator and circle around the planet. The North Pole is 90o<\/sup>N, with 90 degree lines in the Northern Hemisphere. Old Faithful is at 44 degrees, 27 minutes and 43 seconds north of the Equator. That\u2019s just about exactly half way between the Equator and the North Pole!<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Longitude<\/h3>\r\n

The latitude mentioned above does not locate Old Faithful exactly, since a circle could be drawn that latitude north of the Equator. To locate Old Faithful we need another point \u2013 longitude. At Old Faithful the longitude is W110o<\/sup>49\u201957\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\r\n

Longitude<\/strong> lines are circles that go around the Earth from north to south, like the sections of an orange. Longitude is measured perpendicular to the Equator. The Prime Meridian is 0o<\/sup> longitude and passes through Greenwich, England. The International Date Line is the 180o<\/sup> meridian. Old Faithful is in the Western Hemisphere, between the Prime Meridian in the east and the International Date Line in the west.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Elevation<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

An accurate location must take into account the third dimension. Elevation<\/strong> is the height above or below sea level<\/span>. Sea level<\/strong> is the average height of the ocean\u2019s surface or the midpoint between high and low tide. Sea level is the same all around Earth.<\/p>\r\n

Old Faithful is higher above sea level than most locations at 7,349 ft (2240 m). Of course, the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, is much higher at 29,029 ft (8848 m).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Global Positioning System<\/h3>\r\n

Satellites continually orbit Earth and can be used to indicate location. A global positioning system<\/strong> receiver detects radio signals from at least four nearby GPS satellites. The receiver measures the time it takes for radio signals to travel from a satellite and then calculates its distance from the satellite using the speed of radio signals. By calculating distances from each of the four satellites the receiver can triangulate to determine its location. You can use a GPS meter to tell you how to get to Old Faithful.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Direction<\/h2>\r\n

Direction is important if you want to go between two places. Directions<\/strong> are expressed as north (N), east (E), south (S), and west (W), with gradations in between. The most common way to describe direction in relation to the Earth\u2019s surface is with a compass<\/span><\/strong>, a device with a floating needle that is actually a small magnet. The compass needle aligns itself with the Earth\u2019s magnetic north pole. Since the magnetic north pole is 11.5 degrees offset from its geographic north pole on the axis of rotation, you must correct for this discrepancy.<\/p>\r\n

Without using a compass, we can say that to get to Old Faithful, you enter Yellowstone National Park at the South Entrance, drive north-northeast to West Thumb, and then drive west-northwest to Old Faithful.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Summary<\/h2>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Latitude is the distance north or south of the Equator and is expressed as a number between 0 and 90 degrees north or south.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Longitude is the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian and is expressed as a number between 0 and 180 degrees east or west.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Elevation is the height above sea level.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Direction is expressed as north, south, east, or west, or some gradation between them.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
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    Explore More<\/h3>\r\n

    Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.<\/p>\r\n