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    34 views10 pages

    Topographic Map Lab

    Uploaded by

    api-317400432

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    Lab Exercise: Topographic Maps Topographic Maps A topographic map, or "topo" for short, is a two-dimensional (flat) representation of a three-dimensional land surface. It hows the three-dimensional information (relief or height variation) by using contour lines to represent elevations of hills and valleys. Topographic maps also show accurate representations of water bodies, vegetation, roads, buildings, and political boundaries, all at an accurate scale, Topographic maps are a valuable tool in geological and engineering studies. They also are used by hikers, hunters, campers, and anyone who needs to know the three-dimensional aspect of land surfaces. Most U.S. topo maps are published by the US Geological Survey. They cover rectangular sections of the Earth’s surface called quadrangles, or "quads" for short. Lines of latitude and longitude are used to locate positions on a topo map and to locate sania the boundaries for the topo map. Lines of latitude are imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator. The latitude of a location on Earth is the distance of that location north or south of the equator. They are labeled by their angular distance north or south of the equator. The longitude of a location is the distance of a place east or west of the prime meridian. Lines of longitude run from pole to pole and are labeled by their angular distance east or West of Greenwich, England, The north-south. line that runs through Greenwich, England is known as the Prime Meridian. Earth's shape is spherical Since parallels and meridians mark distances on a sphere, their designation is given in degrees). The angle measured from the equator to the center of Earth (point B) and then northward to the parallel where Point Y is located is 30°. Therefore, the latitude of Point Y is 30°N. All points on the same parallel as Yare designated 30°N latitude. The angle measured from the prime meridian where it crosses the equator to the center of Earth (8) and, then eastward to the meridian where Point X is located is 90°. Therefore, the longitude of Point X is 90°E. All points on the same meridian as X are designated 90°E longitude. When more precision is necessary, a degree can be divided into 60 equal patts, called minutes (),and a minute of an angle can be divided into 60 parts, called seconds (). 3 = = = vemroe | The figure on right represents an idealized Earth, with Point B its center. 1, Draw a line on the diagram in that represents the equator and label it. 2. Draw a line from Point B (the center of Earth) to Point C in the Northern Hemisphere. Using a protractor, measure the angle (ABC) from the equator to Point C. a.ZABC=_ 30° degrees b. The latitude of Point is_20 ly (Remember to designate north with N and south with, 5) 3. Drawa line parallel to the equator that intersects Point C. All points on this line are the same latitude. Label this parallel of latitude in degrees NorS. 0" | South Pole 4, Using a protractor, measure ZABD.Then draw a line parallel to the equator that also goes through Point D. Label the line with its proper latitude. 75° 5.Repeat the steps for 2ABE. 1) °c Using the figure below, record the latitude and longitude of each of the following points. Point A has been completed for reference. Remember to indicate the direction (N, S, E,or W) and latitude or longitude. Standard practice dictates that latitude s listed first, followed by longitude. | age + West d Fast $0" 78 oO 48" BO" 1S OF 1S Or 4S oor 75 oD, | oo fol ea ek : se or 2 : 1s : ni : Mas : eres pe fs ' + avg oo Point A 30°N 60°E Pointc O° T0°VA PointB 20°C B° yy PointD Ys N 15° W \ \ aN: wv rude de \ oth til Topographic maps are bounded by parallels of latitude on the north and south and meridians of longitude on the east and west. The lines of latitude and longitude that identify the boundaries of a quadrangle are labeled at the four corners of the map in degrees (°) minutes (),and seconds (") and are indicated at intervals along the margins. Examine the map given by your instructor and answer the following questions: 1. Whatisthe latitude of northern boundary ofthe map?__ 10° IS" N Ny ! y ‘ Bi whacls che lattude ofsouther Boundanforthe map? 2/02 ISIC G E we 3. Whatisthe longitude of eastern boundary of the map?_/2.2' D0 v 4. Whatis the longitude of westem boundary ofthe map?_ 22° ()0)' yy 7 V Maps are “scale models" of Earth's surface. Each map has a map scale that expresses the relationship between distance on the map and actual distance on Earth's surface. On a topographic map, scale is usually indicated in the lower margin and is expressed in two ways: fractional scales and graphic scales. Fractional scales indicate how much the portion of Earth's surface represented on the map has been reduced from its actual size. For example, a map with a scale of 1/24,000 (or 1:24,000) tells the viewer that a distance of unit on the map represents a distance of 24,000 of the same units on Earth (e.g,, 1 inch equals 24,000 inches). graphic scale, or bar scale, isa bar that is divided into segments that show the relationship between distance ‘on the map and actual distance on Earth (see below). Bar scales showing miles, feet, and kilometers are generally provided on most topographic maps. Examine the map given by your instructor. Use a rule and bar scale on the map to answer the following questions. 1. Linch on the map is equal to how many miles? _ | 2. 8 inches on the map is equal to how many feet? _ 3. Semon the mapis equal to how many kilometers?_ 47 1/ Jihb 4. What is the north-south distance on the map in miles?__/ 1S _ isi CONTOUR LINES Depicting the height or elevation of the land and illustrating the shape : of landforms are the most important uses of topographic maps. Topographic maps, miniature models of Earth's surface, make use of contour lines. Contour lines connect all points on a map that have the same elevation above sea level. To visualize this concept, imagine a small volcanic island, as shown on right. The point at which sea level intersects the land at the shoreline represents the 0-foot contour line. The intersection of imaginary planes 50 feet and 100 feet above the ‘ocean represent the 50-foot and 100-foot contour lines, respectively. To effectively use topographic maps, familiarity with the rules for reading contour lines is necessary. & GENERAL AULES FOR READING CONTOUR LINES. 1 Acontour tine connects points of equal eevaton, ‘5. Closed contours with hachure marks on the | downtl side representa closed depression 2. A contour line never branches or pits | 6. When contour ines cross streams or dry_ussean | stream channels, they form a °V" that 3, Steep slopes are shown by closely spaced contours. Sointe upstrearn 4. Hits are represented by closed 7. Contour lines that oscur on opposite ‘contour ines. sides of avaley aways accurin pars. ‘The difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines is called the contour interval as shown below in the graphic. The figure below (on right) shows a close up of a topomap. Notice that every fifth contour line, called an index contour, is printed as a bold brown line, and the elevation of that line is provided (in feet). SS Index Contour Lines EREES, Examine the contour map above and answer the emotion 1. Whatis the Contour Interval of the map?_ “/O feet 2. Whats the difference in elevation between Points Aand 6? /"D feet he)

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