Mapping Earths Surface Topographic Maps Topographic Map A

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps • Topographic Map – A map showing the surface features of an area. (They use symbols to portray the land as if you were looking down on it from above. ) • Topographic Maps provide highly accurate information on the elevation, relief, and slope of the ground surface. • What uses of a topographic map can you think of? Stores, housing, factories, schools, recreation… ? ? ?

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps • Scale: Topographic maps are large-scale maps. This way they can show details of elevation and land features. • Who does this stuff? The agency is called the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). They do all of the maps for the whole country. • Symbols: Many different ones like these…

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps • To represent elevation, relief, and slope on a topographic map, mapmakers use contour lines. • A contour line connects points of equal elevation. • The Contour interval is the change in elevation from contour line to contour line. (The space between the lines, and it is always the same on the same map. )

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps • Depression – A closed loop with dashes inside indicates a depression. • Hilltop – A contour line that forms a closed loop with no other contour lines inside it indicates a hilltop. • What is the Index Contour of this map? • What is the elevation by the river? • What is missing from this map? • Is GPS listed on this map?

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps 1. What kind of information does a topographic map provide about landforms? 2. How do topographic maps represent elevation and relief? 3. What would the highest and lowest points in an area look like on a topographic map? 4. What is the role of satellites in the Global Positioning system?