Topographic Maps Mapping Topography and Global Positioning Systems

Topographic Maps Mapping, Topography, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Activity /Map the classroom. /Include or Omit anything you find necessary /It’s up to you how to do it

Discussion /What elements did you include? /What makes a good map? /Why do we need maps

Elements found on ALL Maps » » Distance or Scale Direction Legend Sources

Distance or Scale

Direction

Legend

Sources » Sources will provide information regarding Age, Accuracy, and Reliability of Map? » The source for our “Classroom Map” is obviously yourself but for a contour map of the area a more reliable source like the USGS would be important

LOCATION OF MAP » The location of a map is the most important thing » The reason we look at maps is to derive location and to help us navigate. » Latitude and Longitude is used to determine location

Latitude and Longitude » Imaginary lines used to determine location universally around the world » Coordinate System: » (Latitude N or S, Longitude E or W) » Every location on Earth has a unique set of coordinates. » Where I am standing has different set of coordinates from where each of you is sitting

Lines of Latitude » Lines of Latitude: » Parallels. Run from Equator to North/South Poles » » Equator = 0 degrees North/South Pole = 90 degrees “Ladder-tude” 1 degree = 69 miles

Lines of Latitude (“LADDER-TUDE”)

Lines of Longitude » Vertical Lines known as Meridians » Run through poles » Spaced apart at equator, very close at poles » Prime Meridian = 0 degrees (Greenwich, England) » Up to 180 degrees west or east » 180+ 180 = 360 = Degrees in a circle » 0 - 180 degrees west = Western Hemisphere » 0 - 180 degrees east = Eastern Hemispeher

Lines of Longitude

Lat/Long working together » LOCATION » Coordinate system with two variables » EXACT LOCATION! » Degrees, Minutes, Seconds » Minutes are 1/60 of a degree » Seconds are 1/60 of a minute » 60 seconds make up one minute. 60 minutes make up one degree. » One degree is made of 60 minutes. In each minute there is 60 seconds

Burlington, WI » 42 º 40’ 40” N, 88 º 16’ 41” W » Read: “ 42 degrees, 40 minutes, 40 seconds North… 88 degrees, 16 minutes, 41 seconds W » What does it mean: Burlington is about 42. 5 degrees north of Eqautor and about 90 degrees W of prime meridian (0 º)

42 º 40’ 40” N, 88 º 16’ 41” W » Notice: » 1 st number= Latitude 42 degrees + some » 2 nd number = Longitude 88 degrees + some » Both are labeled with directions » Coordinates: (Latitude N or S, Longitude E or W)

Help me find: 35 N , 120 W

Activity /Use world maps to determine coordinates of locations on your note sheet with partner. /After completion, write 3 sets of coordinates on separate sheet of paper to hand to another group /You will receive a set from someone else and will need to determine those

Topographic Maps • What are they? • Why do Earth Scientists use them? • What can you find out from them?

Qualities of Topo Maps • Show natural and human made features • Use contour lines to show slope and elevation • Create a visual representation of a 3 D landform

Contour Lines • All contour maps have contour lines • Contour Line: Lines on a map representing equal elevation – Show elevation usually measured in feet above sea level • Usually they will create circles • Can be extremely confusing if you don’t understand the fundamental

Examples of Topo Maps and Contours:

Contour Lines and Index Contours • What is this map representing?

Topo Map (Island) and Rule of V’s

Topographic Map Vocab: • Contour Lines- Lines depicting elevation, change in elevation, and TOPOGRAPHY (Land forms) • Contour Interval- the designated elevation difference between two Contour Lines • Index Contour- The thicker, darker lines on a contour map denoting important elevations (100 ft,

Vocab Continued: • Scale- relationship between distance on a map and distance it represents on earth • Quadrangles- Term for a topographic map with four equal sides. • Rule of the V’s- when a stream passes over contour lines it creates characteristic “V’s” in the contour

Uses of Topographic Maps • We have learned that Topographic maps take a 3 D object and turn it into a 2 D picture • It is time for us to learn what we can do with them

Slope, Relief, Gradient • Slope- how steep or flat something is. • Relief- change in elevation over a given distance – High Relief: high amount of change – Low Relief: low change

Relief • What is an area of high relief? • What is an area of low relief? • Why would it be useful to know the slope and relief of an area?

High Relief/ Low Relief

Relief

Gradient • Gradient- The amount of change over a given distance – Slope, Relief, and Gradient are all related • Rise/ Run – Change in Elevation / Distance

Topographic Profile

Topographic Profile • Creating a cross section of our map • High Level Thinking! – Taking a 2 D object and making a 3 D image in your head. Then taking that 3 D image and cutting it in half • What does it show us? – The elevation changes, gradient, slope, relief

Depression Contours • Sometimes an area being mapped will have depressions. • To help them stand out maps makers use a new types of contour line indicating a decrease in elevation

Depression Contours • Depression Contour- Contour line with hash marks points to center of depression