Transcript Aim: How to Read a Map

Aim: How to Read a
Topographic Map
Objective: Ability to
read a map, correctly
Vocabulary:
topography, topographic
Different Kind of Maps
Most maps show
distances
 Where things are
located
 What is produced
in an area

Topographic
maps show the
topography
 Show the
contours of the
land
 Show “height and
depth”

Topographic Maps
Simple
Topographic Map
Contour Lines
Contour Interval
Topographic Maps
More Complex
Topographic Map
Topographic Maps
Topographic Map
Shows heights
What is the
highest elevation
of this map?
The lowest?
To read a topographic map
 First
determine the contour lines
 Then determine the contour
intervals
Contour Lines



Topographic maps use contour lines.
A contour line on a map connects points that
are at the same distance above, or below,
sea level
For example, the 20' contour line connects all
points on the map that are exactly 20' above
sea level.
Contour Intervals



The contour interval is the vertical distance
represented between adjacent contour lines.
If the contour interval is 10', then after the
20’ contour line would be the 30’ contour
line.
If a point on a map is between the 20' and
the 30' contour lines, then you know its
greater than 20' above sea level and less
than 30' above sea level
Contour Intervals


The spacing of contour lines on a map tells you
how "steep" the slope is.
If you turned a soup bowl upside down it would
look like this
Examine this topographic map
Examine this topographic map
What is the
lowest
elevation?
What is the
next highest
elevation?
Now you
can
determine
the interval
Examine this topographic map
Which side
would you want
to climb, N or S.
Why?
You make a
topographic
map by
connecting
various
elevations
with a
contour line?
How would you draw a topo map?