How do you read a topographic map?
Use the legend to identify features on the ground – there are symbols for things like roads, tracks, lakes, powerlines, fences This shading helps you visualise mountains, hills and valleys – the heavier the shading, the steeper the slope Use contour lines to determine elevations of mountains and flat areas
What are the six rules for reading a topographic map?
Terms in this set (6) Rule 1: Slope The closer the lines are, the steeper the slope Rule 2: Flow and Source of a River/Stream Rule 3: Mountains and Hills Rule 4: Highest possible elevation of a hill/mountain Rule 5: Depressions Rule 6: Lowest possible elevation of a depression
How do you identify features on a topographic map?
Names of places and features are shown in a color cor- responding to the type of feature Many features are identified by labels, such as “Substation” or “Golf Course” Topographic contours are shown in brown by lines of different widths Each contour is a line of equal elevation; therefore, contours never cross
How do you read a topographic map for kids?
Try this: If you put your finger on a contour line and follow it around the map, every place your finger is touching is that same elevation Topographers make reading maps even easier by adding numbers right next to certain lines Say you’re observing a contour line and the number 12,500 is right on top of it
How do you read elevation on a topographic map?
You can figure out the elevation of any point by finding the nearest labeled line, counting the number of lines above or below it, multiplying by the contour interval, and adding or subtracting the result from the nearest marked contour line The more closely spaced the contour lines, the steeper the slope
How do you read slope on a topographic map?
To find the slope of a feature, the horizontal distance (run) as well as the vertical distance (rise) between two points on a line parallel to the feature need to be determined The slope is obtained by dividing the rise over run Multiply this ratio by 100 to express slope as a percentage
How do you read contour lines on a topographic map?
How To Read Contour Lines Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line Intermediate lines are the thinner, more common, lines between the index lines Supplementary lines appear as dotted lines, indicating flatter terrain
What is Rule #2 when reading a topographic map?
Rule 1 – every point of a contour line has the same elevation Rule 2 – contour lines separate uphill from downhill Rule 3 – contour lines do not touch or cross each other except at a cliff
How is a cliff shown on a topographic map?
Answer: Cliffs are represented by very close (or sometimes touching) contour lines Also note that if a feature such as a small cliff is shorter than the contour interval, then it may not show up on the map
What do the numbers mean on a topographic map?
It is found in the top right hand corner of the map (Fig The next thing that you should notice on a topographical map are the numbers running all around the outside of the map These numbers represent two grid systems that can be used to find your exact location The first is called latitude and longitude
What are the symbols on a topographic map?
Topographic Map Legend and Symbols Brown lines – contours (note that intervals vary) Black lines – roads, railroads, trails, and boundaries Red lines – survey lines (township, range, and section lines) Blue areas – streams and solid is for larger bodies of water Green areas – vegetation, typically trees or dense foliage
How do you read a topographic map in earth science?
Several principles are important for reading a topographic map: Contour lines show the 3-dimensional shape of the land (Figure below) Concentric circles indicate a hill Hatched concentric circles indicate a depression, as seen in the Figure below V-shaped expanses of contour lines indicate stream valleys
What are the 5 Rules of contour lines?
Rule 1 – every point of a contour line has the same elevation Rule 2 – contour lines separate uphill from downhill Rule 3 – contour lines do not touch or cross each other except at a cliff Rule 4 – every 5th contour line is darker in color
How do you read elevation?
Read the number opposite the pointer That number is your true elevation If using an optical instrument, just read the number across the horizontal line That number is your true elevation
How do you measure height above sea level?
An altimeter is a device that measures altitude—a location’s distance above sea level Most altimeters are barometric, meaning they measure altitude by calculating the location’s air pressure Air pressure decreases as altitude increases
What does the color green mean on a topographic map?
US Geological Survey (USGS) topo- graphic maps are printed using up to six colors (black, blue, green, red, brown, and purple) Black for cultural features, boundaries, and names Blue for water features Red for highway classifications, built-up areas, fence lines, and US Public Land Survey lines
What is the contour interval on a topo map?
Individual contour lines on a topographical map are a fixed interval of elevation apart known as a contour interval Common contour intervals are 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 100 feet The actual contour interval of a map depends upon the topography being represented as well as the scale of the map
How do you tell if contour lines are going up or down?
Remember contour numbering reads up hill – in other words the top of the number is uphill and the bottom is downhill Also remember the closer contour lines are together, the steeper the slope
What are 3 types of contour lines?
Contour lines are of three different kinds They are the Index lines, Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines
What does a topographic map show hunters Ed?
Topographic maps are created from aerial photographs and reveal the contours of the land, including hills, ridges, and valleys, as well as lakes, rivers, creeks, trails, and roads Contour lines show the elevation of the ground Contour lines that are sharply tapered indicate an uphill direction
What are the 5 Rules of topographic maps?
Topographic Map Rules Contour Lines Never Cross Measuring Steepness Stream Flow Direction Contours Close Concentric Circles Elevation Between Lines