Topographic maps

1. Topographic Topographic
MapsMaps

2. Topographic maps model the changes in Topographic maps model the changes in
Earth’s elevation.Earth’s elevation.

3. How are topographic How are topographic
maps useful?maps useful?
Determine your location relative to Determine your location relative to
identifiable natural features identifiable natural features
Topographic maps also indicate cultural Topographic maps also indicate cultural
features such as roads, cities and damsfeatures such as roads, cities and dams
Often used by hikersOften used by hikers

6. What is a contour line? What is a contour line?
A line on a map that connects points of A line on a map that connects points of
equal elevation.equal elevation.

7. What is a contour What is a contour
interval?interval?The difference in elevation between two The difference in elevation between two
side-by-side contour lines.side-by-side contour lines.
This # is constant for each mapThis # is constant for each map

8. What can you tell from What can you tell from
contour lines?contour lines?
Contour lines that are close together = Contour lines that are close together =
steep elevationsteep elevation
-Mountains, ridges, valleys-Mountains, ridges, valleys
Contour lines that are far apart =Contour lines that are far apart =
slight change in elevation.slight change in elevation.

9. What is an index What is an index
contour?contour?
A contour line that is marked with the A contour line that is marked with the
elevation number.elevation number.

10. How are index contours How are index contours
useful?useful?You can determine the elevation of other You can determine the elevation of other
lines around the index contour by adding lines around the index contour by adding
or subtracting the contour interval or subtracting the contour interval
number.number.

11. Contour lines always Contour lines always
point upstream on point upstream on
rivers.rivers.

12. Basins and craters are Basins and craters are
represented with represented with
hachureshachures

13. What do different What do different
colors indicate on colors indicate on
topo. Maps?topo. Maps?
Green = area with vegetationGreen = area with vegetation
White = area with little to no vegetationWhite = area with little to no vegetation
Cities, deserts, etc.Cities, deserts, etc.
Purple = dark - revisions to the mapPurple = dark - revisions to the map
light - urban areaslight - urban areas

14. Map ScalesMap Scales
The relationship between the distances The relationship between the distances
on the map and distances on Earth’s on the map and distances on Earth’s
surface.surface.
Scale is often represented as a ratio.Scale is often represented as a ratio.
Example: 1:80Example: 1:80
This means that one unit on the map This means that one unit on the map
represents 80 units on land.represents 80 units on land.
The unit of distance could be feet, miles, The unit of distance could be feet, miles,
millimeters, etc.millimeters, etc.

16. Map LegendsMap Legends
Topographic maps and most other maps Topographic maps and most other maps
have a legend.have a legend.
A map legend explains what the symbols A map legend explains what the symbols
used on the map mean.used on the map mean.
Some frequently used symbols on Some frequently used symbols on
topographic maps are shown in the topographic maps are shown in the
appendix in the back of your book on appendix in the back of your book on
p. 806p. 806

20. Map SeriesMap Series
A map series includes maps that have A map series includes maps that have
the same dimensions of latitude and the same dimensions of latitude and
longitude. longitude.
For example, one map series includes For example, one map series includes
maps that are 7.5 minutes of latitude by maps that are 7.5 minutes of latitude by
7.5 minutes of longitude.7.5 minutes of longitude.