Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red

LAB 1 – TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

Name(s):

Topographic maps – general questions

1) What is a contour line?

2) What is a contour interval?

3) How does the scale of a map differ from the values of contour lines? (i.e., what is each
measuring?)

4) What do closely spaced contour lines indicate?

5) Why is it important to know the magnetic declination of a map?

Refer to the Mount Saint Helens map on the next page for the following questions

6) What is the elevation at point C?

7) What is the elevation at point D?

8) What is the elevation of the benchmark on the map?

9) Sketch the transect from the Mount Saint Helens map below. Assume each line represents a
contour interval.

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Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red

Topographic map of Mt. St. Helens

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Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red

10) Match up the following: write the letter of the correct topographic map to the
right of the cross-section.

A.

______

B.

______

C.

______

D.

______

E.

______

F.

______

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Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red

Use the map above to answer the following questions: It may be helpful to print this map

11) How many benchmarks are there on the map?  __________

12) What elevation values do they mark? _________________________

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Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red
13) What is the highest elevation indicated anywhere on the map and what is the lowest elevation
indicated anywhere on the map? (Look carefully.) ____________________________________

14) What elevation does the highest contour line represent? _________________________________

15) What is the elevation of the following points?

        a. point A = _____ feet        b. point B = _____ feet

What is the approximate elevation of the following points?

     a. point C = _____ feet        b. point D = _____feet

16) Explain why you can determine the exact elevation for points A and B but only approximate
elevations for points C and D.

17) What is the contour interval for this topographic map? __________________________________

18) Which stream flows into Atwater Pond? _______________ which stream flows out?
______________

19) How can you determine what direction the streams, from the question above, are flowing?

20) Calculate the slope of the hill from point G to point E. NOTE: You must show your work.
Step 1: Use the contour lines to find the elevation difference between the two points.
Step 2: Use the map scale to measure the horizontal distance between the two points.
Step 3: Calculate the slope which is the change in elevation divided by the horizontal distance
between the two points.

21) Calculate the slope of the hill from point B to point F. NOTE: You must show your work.

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Note: You must type or draw your answers in a color that is NOT black or red
22) Compare the slopes from the calculations you made above. Points G to E are on the north side of
the hill, why are the contour lines closer together on the north side of the hill while they are
further apart on the south side of the hill (Points B to F)?

23) How long did it take you to complete this lab?