Earth Graphs (a.k.

a Maps)
Topographic, Geologic
Before we start : Why are
you in school?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtahB1-MNvk
By the end of this you should...
1. Know latitude and longitude
2. Know basic contour map vocab
3. Be able to identify features on a contour map
a. Contour lines
b. Steep vs gradual slope
c. Contour intervals
d. Tallest point on a mountain
e. Direction of river flow
Geologic Maps
Distribution of different types of rocks, surface deposits, and the location of faults
and folds : Geologic maps
Topographic Maps / Topographic Profiles
Describes the altitude of a terrain with contour lines : Topographic Map
Lat and Long - always start with the Equator or P.M.
Latitude - lines that go north and south of the equator

Longitude - lines that go east and west of the prime meridian

Short Map Activity : Complete as a class
Vocab - Lat and Long, measured in degrees
0 º line running East to West, horizontal center line separating north and southern
hemispheres - Equator ; Latitude

0 º line running North to South, vertical center line separating eastern and
western hemispheres - Prime Meridian ; Longitude

(Prime meridian is longer than equator)

Specific locations’ height above sea level - Elevation

Units that lines of latitude and longitude are measured in - Degrees

Let’s do some practice! Get into your lab groups!!
Remember the AuthaGraph projection?
Mapmakers have, however, found ways to limit the distortion of shape, size,
distance and direction
Topographic maps!
Contour Lines : Are lines on a topographic map that indicate elevation.

Contour Intervals : The distance in elevation between adjacent contour lines.

Close Lines = Higher elevation ; steeper (larger) slope

Spaced out lines = Gradual elevation ; gradual (smaller) slope

Determining Contour Intervals… math.
Steps
1) Count the lines after one value (700) up until and including the next number
(750)
i) 5 lines after 700 including the 750 line = 5 lines
2) Subtract the higher and lower elevation
i) 750 - 700 = 50
3) Divide the difference in elevation by the number of lines from step 1
i) 50 / 5 = 10
4) Your contour interval = 10 ft

What’s the contour interval on your worksheet?

You practice : First finish your worksheet
Determining max height of a mountain
Look at the last question on your worksheet.

The tallest the mountain can be is 5079 ft tall. * Write this down! *

How did I do it?

At the top of the mountain the last elevation known is 5000 ft.

There is one more contour line so add the contour interval : 40 ft

The Highest (or max height) a mountain can be is 5040 + 39 (contour interval -1)

So, the answer = 5079 ft

Determining max height of a mountain : I do
Determining max height of a mountain : you do
Depression
Determining direction of a river flow
Go in the opposite direction of the V or downhill (lower in elevation)

Remember * Rivers flow from high to low elevation *

Determining direction of a river flow : I do
Determining direction of a river flow : you do
Time for a quiz
Last Question
1) Contour interval?

2) Direction of the river flow (toward or away from the ocean?)

3) That’s the tallest possible height of the mountain in the bottom

left hand corner?