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Topographic Maps

This document discusses topographic maps and their key elements. It explains that topographic maps use contour lines to represent elevation and terrain features. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, with closer lines indicating steeper slopes. A map's scale, projection method, and basic elements like title and legend are also outlined. Profiles provide a side view of elevations along a transect line on the map.

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Jameel Jameel
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85 views21 pages

Topographic Maps

This document discusses topographic maps and their key elements. It explains that topographic maps use contour lines to represent elevation and terrain features. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, with closer lines indicating steeper slopes. A map's scale, projection method, and basic elements like title and legend are also outlined. Profiles provide a side view of elevations along a transect line on the map.

Uploaded by

Jameel Jameel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topographic Maps

Lab 2
Concepts
„ Map projections
„ Map scale
„ Topographic maps
„ Contour lines
„ Topographic profiles
„ Basic map elements

„ “map”: a representation, usually on a flat


surface, of features on the earth showing
respective forms, sizes, and spatial
relationships
Map Projections
„ Why “projections”?
„ A globe is the only true representation of the Earth
„ Have many methods of transforming the 3D Earth’s
features onto a 2D flat surface
„ Flat maps cannot exist without a projection
„ Projections distort features in one of the following ways:
ƒ Size
ƒ Shape
ƒ Direction
ƒ Distance
Map Projections: Mercator

Mercator made allowances in this projection and opted for true shape.
But size has suffered… look at Greenland on a globe, then this map.
Map Projections: Peters

Peters distorts shape but gives true size in his projection.


Compare Greenland from here to Mercator’s projection.
Mercator vs Peters – who is right?

„ No single projection is ideal for all


purposes.
„ Depending on the use of your map, choose
the projection carefully.
„ Learn more about projections here:
http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html
Map Scale
„ Scale indicates how much
the Earth has been reduced
for reproduction on a map.
„ Ratio of the image on a
map to its true size

„ Small vs Large scale maps


„ “Small scale maps” show a
large area of Earth with less
detail.
„ “Large scale maps” show a
small area of Earth in great
detail.
Map Scale: 3 Methods
„ Written/Verbal scale
„ States the ratio
„ “One inch equals five miles”
„ Representative Fraction (RF) scale
„ Shown as a ratio or fraction
„ 1:24,000 or 1/24,000
„ No units provided. *You* apply the same unit of
measurement to both sides of the ratio, and it will be true.
„ 1 inch [on the map] : 24,000 inches [on the Earth]
„ Graphic scale
Topographic Maps
„ Older maps were 15-minute series
„ 15’ latitude x 15’ longitude
„ Newer maps are 7.5-minute series
„ 7.5’ = ¼ of the 15’ maps
„ Often called “quad”rangle maps

„ Standardized color scheme


„ Brown – contours
„ Blue – water
„ Black – human-made features
„ Green – vegetation
„ Red – important human-made features
„ Pink – urban areas
„ Purple – revisions/updates due to aerial photos
Topographic Maps: Contours

„ Topographic maps show the lay of the land


using isolines called “contours”
„ Isoline = line connecting points of equal value
„ Contours connect points of equal elevation

„ A datum is a reference point from which all


elevations are measured.
„ On topo maps, what do you think is the reference
point (“zero datum”)?
Topographic Maps: Contours
„ Rules of Contour Lines
„ Contours are drawn at regular intervals (e.g., every 10
feet of elevation). Called “Contour Interval.”
„ Contours are always closed loops, though they usually
travel beyond the margins of the map.
„ Contours never cross each other.
„ Where contours are close together, they show a rapid
change in elevation. Where they are far apart, they show
a gradual change.
„ Values inside a closed contour line are higher than
outside the contour line.
„ See other rules on page 59 of your lab manual.
Topographic Maps: Contours

CONTOUR INTERVAL INDEX CONTOUR


„ Spacing between „ Every 5th contour line
each contour line „ Indicated by a heavier
„ This will be a line.
consistent number. „ Helps draw your eye
„ Watch for the unit of to certain intervals.
measurement „ Allows the mapmaker
associated with the to simplify the map –
contour interval. may only label index
contours instead of
every line.
Topographic Maps: Contours

„ The contour interval


is marked with a
specific unit of
measurement.

„ You can see the


index contours
every five lines.

Contour Interval: 200 feet


Topographic Maps: Contours
„ When reading a map, all points on a contour
line are the same elevation.
„ Otherwise, you must interpolate the point.
„ e.g., “a” = 104 ft
„ e.g., “b” = 170 ft
„ e.g., “c” = 196 ft

Contour Interval = 20 feet


Topographic Maps: Contours
„ Hill: represented by a
concentric series of closed
contours.

„ Depression: indicated by
hachure marks on the
downhill side.

„ Rule of Vs: Contour lines


“V” upstream when crossing
a stream. The point of the
“V” points uphill.
Topographic Maps: Contours
„ Contours allow us to find the relief of the
landscape.
„ Relief = difference in elevation between two points on a
map
„ Total/Local Relief = difference in elevation between the
highest and lowest points on a map
Topographic Maps: Profiles
„ Topographic maps
show a birds-eye
view of the
landscape.

„ Topographic
profiles show a
side-view of the
same landscape.
How to
Create
Profiles
How to
Create
Profiles
Elevation (m)
How to
Create
Profiles
Elevation (m)
Topographic Maps: Basic Elements
You should be able to
locate the following:
‰ Map Body
‰ Title
‰ Location
‰ Date
‰ Data sources
‰ Direction
‰ Legend
‰ Projection
‰ Scale

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