Themes of the Day:

• Discussion of "Atchafalaya" by John McPhee

Group Projects

Prepare a short (~10 slide) PowerPoint presentation that describes how your group would recommend rebuilding the Mississippi Delta region in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Your presentation should demonstrate that you understand the geologic concepts discussed in Chapter #7, as well as the concepts discussed by John McPhee in his work "Atchafalaya". Striking an appropriate balance between natural forces and human needs will be key to the successful completion of this assignment. In doing so you should address the following points:

• Where is the study located? (Use Google Earth and the clipping tool to give an overview of location and regional features.)
• Feel free to use material from your textbook (Chapter 7 figures) or elsewhere on the internet to illustrate the geologic concepts involved.
• How does your proposal deal with the twin threats of flooding from the Mississippi River and hurricanes coming from the Gulf of Mexico?
• How does your proposal deal with subsidence of the Mississippi Delta?
• How does your proposal deal with the impending capture of the Mississippi by the Atchafalaya River?
• How does your proposal deal with the economic importance of the Mississippi River as a conduit for trade between the American heartland and the world?
• How does your proposal deal with the political and emotional concerns of the people who call that region home?

Some other resources that may be helpful:

• The US Geological Survey (USGS)
• The US Army Corps of Engineers
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

This group project is due next Thursday (10/25).