Topography Notes:
What is topography?
Topography is the mapping of elevation starting from sea level and above to sea level and under.
What does a topographic map tell you that other maps can't?
A topographic map can tell you the elevation of a place that other maps can't.
Who might use a topographic map (and why)?
Hikers, geologists, pilots, firefighters, mountain rangers, and marine biologists might use a topographic map to help them tell where the mountains are. For example, pilots need a topographic map to make sure they are above the mountains. Firefighters need a topographic map so they can track the fire, since heat spreads upwards.
Vocabulary
Elevation- Height of a place relative to a reference height
Contour Lines- A line connecting points that have the same elevation
Contour Interval- The difference in elevation between two adjacent contour lines.
Depression Contour- Contour lines indicating a downward slope (drawn with hatch marks).
Practice Questions
1. Which of the topographic maps shows two peaks? Which side has higher elevation?
Topographic Map C has two peaks, and the left side of the map has the higher elevation.
2. Which topographic map shows the steepest cliff? Where is it?
Topographic Map B shows the steepest cliff, and the steepest cliff is on the right side of the map.
3. Can you tell the elevation of the topographic feature in plot B exactly? If so, what is the elevation, if not, why and what would be your closest guess?
No, we don't know the elevation. My closest guess would be that the highest is 700 ft.
4. Which topographic map has a contour interval of 50 feet?
Topographic Map A has a contour interval of 50 feet.
5. Which of the topographic maps depicts a canyon, or depression?
Topographic Map B depicts a depression.
What is topography?
Topography is the mapping of elevation starting from sea level and above to sea level and under.
What does a topographic map tell you that other maps can't?
A topographic map can tell you the elevation of a place that other maps can't.
Who might use a topographic map (and why)?
Hikers, geologists, pilots, firefighters, mountain rangers, and marine biologists might use a topographic map to help them tell where the mountains are. For example, pilots need a topographic map to make sure they are above the mountains. Firefighters need a topographic map so they can track the fire, since heat spreads upwards.
Vocabulary
Elevation- Height of a place relative to a reference height
Contour Lines- A line connecting points that have the same elevation
Contour Interval- The difference in elevation between two adjacent contour lines.
Depression Contour- Contour lines indicating a downward slope (drawn with hatch marks).
Practice Questions
1. Which of the topographic maps shows two peaks? Which side has higher elevation?
Topographic Map C has two peaks, and the left side of the map has the higher elevation.
2. Which topographic map shows the steepest cliff? Where is it?
Topographic Map B shows the steepest cliff, and the steepest cliff is on the right side of the map.
3. Can you tell the elevation of the topographic feature in plot B exactly? If so, what is the elevation, if not, why and what would be your closest guess?
No, we don't know the elevation. My closest guess would be that the highest is 700 ft.
4. Which topographic map has a contour interval of 50 feet?
Topographic Map A has a contour interval of 50 feet.
5. Which of the topographic maps depicts a canyon, or depression?
Topographic Map B depicts a depression.