Topographic Maps Show the landforms and elevation of

Topographic Maps: • Show the landforms and elevation of an area. • Characterized by their “contour lines”.

Landforms: • Anything that physically impacts an area. • Mountains, hills, lakes, rivers, valleys, cities, dams, etc.

Elevation: • How high an object is above “sea level”. • The level of the ocean’s surface is used to measure the height of physical features.

Uses of Topographic Maps: 1. Agriculture – how soil can be conserved. 2. Environment – scientists can determine how much water/wind will cause erosion and can try to prevent it. 3. Weather – topography effects weather patterns.

Contour Lines: • Show areas of similar elevation. • “Indexed” contour lines have a number on them, telling you the elevation. • Usually every 5 th line. • The other lines do not have labeled elevations.

Elevation is increasing

Contour Interval: • The change in elevation that each contour line represents. • Can be very small in areas with little change, or very large in areas with rapid change.

Contour Interval = 20 780 740 720 680 760 820

Check it! What is the Contour Interval? A – 10 B – 20 C – 30 D – 40

Answer: • A- 10

What is the Contour Interval? A – 25 B – 50 C – 75 D - 100

Answer: • D- 100

Contour Lines: • The closer the lines, the more rapid the change in elevation! (Steeper the slope). • The more spread out the lines, the less rapid the change! (Gradual slope).

Slow change in elevation! Rapid change in elevation!

Check It! If you wanted to have an intense workout, what area would you want to hike? A B

Answer: • B

Colors on Topographic Maps: • Brown = most contour lines • Green = vegetation such as woods. • Blue = water (lakes, rivers, swamps, glaciers, etc. ) • Black = manmade objects such as hiking trails. • Red = manmade features such as roads and political boundaries.

Contour line Vegetation Political boundary Hiking trail Water

Check it! Which area on the map would be harder to walk through due to more vegetation? A B

Answer: • A

Which star on the map indicates a higher elevation?

Answer: • Green