Topographic Maps A topographic map shows the shape

Topographic Maps

A topographic map shows the shape of the Earth’s surface features by using contour lines.

• Imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation above or below sea level. • The closer the lines, the steeper the mountain.

Represented by the smallest circles, the tops of the mountains/hills.

The difference in elevation represented by each contour line.

Height above a given area; most maps use sea level as a reference point.

A contour line accentuated by a heavier line weight to distinguish it from other contour lines.

A cross sectional view along a line drawn through a portion of the Earth.

• • • The representation of the shapes of hills, valleys, streams, or terrain features. Rivers form a ‘V’ on a topographic map. If the contour lines point up the slope it’s a valley, if they point down the slope it’s a ridge.

Let’s take a walk up a hill!

We’re now at an elevation of 100 meters. 100 m

Let’s keep going! 100 m

Now we’re at 200 m 100 m

Shall we march on? 200 m 100 m

We’ve made it to 300 m! 300 m 200 m 100 m

On to the peak! 300 m 200 m 100 m

We’re on the peak, but what’s our elevation? 300 m 200 m 100 m

Any ideas? Let’s add contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps. 300 m 200 m 100 m

We know that we are above 350 m, but less than 400 m. 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

Let’s head down the hill, it’s getting late! 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

Now what’s our elevation? If you said somewhere between 200 m and 250 m you are right! 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

Let’s try this again! 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

What’s our elevation now? If you said 50 m or just under, you’re right! 350 m 300 m 250 m 200 m 150 m 100 m 50 m

Let’s now look at the same hill, but the way we might see it from an airplane!

Each color change represents a 50 meter increase.

Now, let’s try the same hike! Our elevation is 0 meters.

Now what is our elevation?

If you said more than 150 meters, but less than 200 meters your right!

Let’s go a little higher.

Think you know our elevation now? More than 300 meters But less than 350 meters

If we were standing on the peak, what would be our elevation? • More than 350 meters, less than 400 meters

Let’s head down hill.

Know our elevation?

More than 100 meters, less than 150 meters

Let’s see what you can do! Cut them out, glue them on the same page, and answer!

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • • • First, figure out the contour interval. 10 m Second, label the contour lines. Third, answer question 1. >550 m, <560 m Or 551 m – 559 m Question 1

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • Now that you have your contour lines labeled, the rest of the questions will be simple. • Answer question 2. >560 m, < 570 m Or 561 m – 569 m Question 2

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • To answer question 3, you must first find the elevation of C and D. • Position C is ______. 561 m - 569 m • Position D is ______. 551 m – 559 m • Therefore, Position ___ has a higher elevation. Position C Question 3

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • This will be easy because we figured this out in Question 1. • The contour interval is __. 10 m Question 4

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • • To answer question 5 we must first figure out the elevation of Positions A and B. • Position A is ____. 491 m - 499 m • Position B is ____. 551 m – 559 m So the change, difference, is ___. 52 m - 68 m Question 5

540 m 550 m 530 m 560 m 510 m 530 m 540 m 550 m 530 m • First we must figure out the elevation of Positions C and D. • Position C is ____. 561 m - 569 m • Position D is ____. 551 m – 559 m • Net change means what the difference between the two. 2 m – 18 m Question 6

Erosion from a stream or river caused the ‘V’ shape on the side of the mountain.

Number 1 -6 in your notebook and write your answers to the following questions. Ready?

1. Could the elevation at the peak (B) be 1410 meters? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

2. What is the elevation at (E)? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

3. What is the elevation difference between (A) and (B)? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

4. Could the elevation at (F) be 417 meters? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

6. Just looking at the map, would it be easier to head down from the peak going East, or going North? N E C W D B E 1200 m A 400 F 1000 m 800 m m 600 m S

1. Could the elevation at the peak (B) be 1410 meters? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

• 1. No : The elevation must be under 1400 meters, but over 1300 meters.

2. What is the elevation at (E)? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

• 2. about 400 meters

3. What is the elevation difference between (A) and (B)? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

• 3. (A) is probably close to the 750 meter line, (B) is above 1300 meters. The difference between the two would probably be 600 to 700 meters.

4. Could the elevation at (F) be 417 meters? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

• 4. No: It must be more than 700 meters and less than 800 meters.

5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley? E C D B 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

• 5. Down a valley: If the contour lines point up the slope it’s a valley, if they point down the slope it’s a ridge.

5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley? E 60 0 C 0 -7 50 0 - 60 D 0 60 0 B 070 0 1200 m A 400 m F 1000 m 800 m 600 m

6. Just looking at the map, would it be easier to head down from the peak going East, or going North? N E C W D B E 1200 m A 400 F 1000 m 800 m m 600 m S

• 6. East: When contour lines are close together that means there is a steep slope, the further apart the lines, the more gentle the slope and therefore an easier walk! Go east!