What is the easiest way to read a topographic map?
A topographic map can be easy to read once you know the details First, look for the map’s scale, which will let you know how much detail the map contains The scale on any topographic map will tell you how many miles, or fractions of a mile, one inch represents The smaller the scale, the more detail the map has
How do you read topographic elevation?
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 a contour survey?
Widely spaced contour lines indicate gentle slope Equally spaced contour lines indicate uniform slope Closed contour lines with higher elevation towards the centre indicate hills Closed contour lines with reducing levels towards the centre indicate pond or other depression
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
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 view topographic maps?
The online USGS Store is the only site for ordering paper topographic mapsHow do I find, download, or order topographic maps? Map Locator on the USGS Store — Search and download free digital maps in GeoPDF format or order paper maps TopoView — The largest selection of digital options
How do I find out my elevation above sea level?
Find Your Altitude A service of the US Geological Survey, US Dept Click on the “search” icon at the upper left; this is the Spot Elevation Tool, words that appear when you hover over the icon In the “By Location” box, type your address and hit return Your elevation shows up at the bottom of this box
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 topo maps for hiking?
How To Read A Topographic Map While On The Trail Step 1: Orient Your Map Using your compass and the map’s north arrow, orient your map Step 2: Find Your Location on the Map Step 3: Read the Contour Lines Step 4: Identify the Landscape Features on Your Topographical Map
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 will a hill look like on a topographic map?
Concentric circles indicate a hill When contour lines form closed loops all together in the same area, this is a hill The smallest loops are the higher elevations and the larger loops are downhill
What are the numbers on contour lines?
Numbers on the lines give the height in feet (Sea level is zero) Lines drawn closely together indicate that a slope is steep
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
What does green mean on a topographic map?
BROWN -Contour lines and elevation numbers GREEN -Vegetation features WHITE -Sparse or no vegetation Basically, white indicates any landscape feature except for trees or water – including desert, grass, sand, rocks, boulders, and so on PURPLE -Denotes revisions that have been made to a map using aerial photos
What is the distance between contour lines?
Contour lines (thinner lines) between index contours are called intermediate contour lines In the map shown below, the elevation difference between index lines is 100 meters The elevation difference or vertical distance between two adjacent contour lines would be 20 meters (100 : 5 = 20)
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 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
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 is considered high elevation?
High altitude: 8,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level Very high altitude: 12,000 to 18,000 feet Extremely high altitude: 18,000+ feet
What is the height above sea level called?
ELEVATION is the height of a point above (or below) sea level SEA LEVEL or, as it is more usually called, mean sea level, is the average height of the surface of the sea As the tide rises and falls, hourly observations of the height of the sea on an open coast are conducted over a 19-year period
Can Google Maps tell me my elevation?
You can find your elevation on Google Maps by turning on the “Terrain” function However, Google Maps doesn’t show elevation by default, and only shows elevation in mountainous areas — it doesn’t report elevation everywhere, especially in cities or other areas that lack naturally elevated grounds