A map that shows land features and elevation on a flat piece of paper
Topographic Map
What is a contour line?
A line joining points of equal elevation on a surface
What is a contour interval?
The distance or difference in elevation between contour lines
What symbol indicates a river or river valley on a topographic map?
V-shaped contour lines
What is the Contour Interval for this map?
20 meters
Elevations are usually measured in
feet or meters
Define elevation?
distance above sea level
How do you determine the contour interval on a topographic map?
1. Find two consecutive index contours
2. Subtract them
3. Divide by 5
The V always points
upstream or toward the source or the river
What is the elevation of point a?
540m
Who would normally use a topographic map? Why?
Hikers, campers, military, survivalists, land developers, erosion specialists
What is an Index Contour Line?
Labelled with the number of elevation; are usually thicker contour lines that appear at every fifth contour line
Topographic maps show_________ and _________ by using _________ _________.
elevation, shape, contour lines
What is a depression?
a sunken area
What is the elevation of point b?
580m
What is the purpose of a topographic map?
Shows three dimensions of ground surface on a flat map; allows user to see plains, hills, roads, etc.
On a topographic map what color lines represent land?
brown
The smallest, inner irregularly shaped, successively concentric circles or ovals represent
the highest elevation of a hill or mountain
How is a depression represented on a topographic map? Give two examples.
it is indicated with small lines called hachure marks inside a circle or oval
ex: volcanic craters, meteor impact craters
How many hills and depressions can you locate on this topographic map?
3 hills, 1 depression
What is the highest elevation on this topographic map?
5729 ft
On a topographic map what color lines represent water?
Blue
What is the contour interval for this map topographic map?
5ft
Hills and mountains appear as
a series of irregularly shaped, successively smaller concentric circles or ovals
Is "A" a steep slope or gradual slope? Why?
Is "B" a steep slope or gradual slope? Why?
A is a steep slope because the contour lines are close together.
B is a gradual slope because the contour lines are further apart.