Department of Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Visayas State University
Visca, Baybay City, Leyte 6521-A Philippines

MarB 18 - EARTH SCIENCE

Exercise 2: Constructing A Topographic Profile

Name : Eugene L. Codis Date Performed: January 29, 2020

Lab Sched: W (10:00 AM -01:00 PM) Date Submitted: February 5, 2020

Guide Questions
1. What makes a topographic map different from other types of map?
 Topographic maps are detailed, accurate graphic representations of features that
appear on the Earth's surface. These features include
 Cultural: roads, buildings, airports, geographic features, administrative
boundaries, state, and international borders
 Hydrography: lakes, rivers, streams, swamps
 Relief: mountains, valleys, contours and cliffs, depressions
 Topographic maps reveal the shape of a landscape. Elevations indicate height
above sea level. Whereas other maps like Geologic maps show rock units and
geologic features, like faults and folds. (Mark Jones, 2018)
2. Why are smooth curves, rather than straight curves used in connecting the dots?
 Smooth curve should be used where its gradient changes, rather than straight-line
segments connecting the dots and only bending at the dots. If the vertical scale on
the profile is different from the map scale, the resulting amount of vertical
exaggeration is listed.
3. Describe the landscape corresponding to the topographic map that you used.
 The landscape corresponding to the topographic map that we used comprises four
elevations and four depressions. One elevation is slightly pointed. The higher
elevation is plain. The first depression and last depression are a steep slope the
second is a gentle slope.
4. What are the important applications of topographic profiling?
 These maps are used for several applications, from camping, hunting, fishing, and
hiking to urban planning, resource management, and surveying. The most
distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is that the three-dimensional shape
 of the Earth's surface is modeled by the use of contour lines. Also, topographic
profiles are also used in the construction of works of great length and small
width, for example, roads, sewers or pipelines.

References:

https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-topographic-map-How-does-it-differ-from-other-
maps

https://serc.carleton.edu/mathyouneed/slope/topoprofile.html

quora.com/What-are-some-common-uses-for-topographic-maps