Topographic Maps Reading and Interpreting Topo Maps Investigation

Topographic Maps Reading and Interpreting Topo Maps Investigation and Experimentation

PA Topography __________, commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is surrounded by approximately 165, 000 acres of the Tioga State Forest.

Maps - Introduction Different maps show us different things. _________ Shows us the shape of the land – mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes. _________ Uses contour lines to show elevation. _________– Shows us how to get from one place to another.

Topographic Maps - Introduction ________is the study and description of the shape of the land surface features. __________ : Shows the shape of the land by connecting points of the same elevation to form a line –_______.

Topographic Maps - Contour _______: An imaginary line that connect points of equal elevation. ________: The vertical distance between contour lines. __________ (reference lines) : The heavier, wider contour line (usually every 5 th line) that gives us the elevation above sea level.

Map Reading Activity: Topography What is the contour interval for the map? What is the distance between each index contour?

Topographic Map – Contour Properties § Closely spaced contour lines represent________. § Widely spaced contour lines represent_________.

Topographic Map – Contour Properties Approximately how tall is Able Hill? Approximately how tall is Baker Hill? Which hill is taller and by how much? How many feet of elevation are there between contour lines? Are the contour lines closer together at Able Hill or Baker Hill? Which mountain has steeper slopes?

Topographic Map – Contour Properties Contour lines form a V when crossing streams. The V always points ______________. Concentric circles of contour lines indicate a______________. Concentric circles of hachured contour lines indicate a_____________

Topographic Map - scale • Map scale expresses the relationship between the distance on the map to the true distance on the earth’s surface. • This is usually represented as a ratio 1: 24, 000 or a fraction 1/24, 000. • 1: 24, 000 means that 1 unit on the map represents 24, 000 of the same units of the earth. _________ Covers more area but in less detail. Note The town of Apollo (center) and the Kiskiminetas River. __________ Medium scaled map. Note the town of Apollo. You can see the streets and the Kiskiminetas in more detail. __________ The small scale shows the most detail. It covers less area but with much more detail. Note Apollo. You can see houses and buildings.

Topographic Map – Colors ______– water features _____ – woodlands ____ – contour lines _____ – roads, urban areas ______ – Manmade features