Topographic Maps

ElevationHow high above sea level an area is.Can range from a few meters to several thousand meters above sea level.

SlopeTells how steep an area is. The more gradual the slope, the farther apart the contour lines will be. The steeper the slope, the closer together the contour lines. TopographyIs the shape, or features of the land.Features can be natural (mountains, plateaus, plains)Features can be man-made (dams, roads)A flat map that uses lines to show Earths features. Contour LinesWiggly lines on a contour mapShow an areas elevation, slope, and relief

ReliefThe difference between an areas high and low points. If you subtract the lowest elevation on the map from the areas highest elevation you get a measure of the areas relief. Check: what is the difference between elevation and slope?Elevation: height above sea levelSlope: Steepness of the land

Rules for Successful ContouringRule #1Every point along a contour line represents the same elevation.

This entire line represents 1200 feet above sea level.1200

12501150Rules for Successful ContouringRule #2Contour lines NEVER split or divide!

Cant happen!1200

125011501150Rules for Successful ContouringRule #3Contour lines cannot just stop. They must either form a closed loop, or run off the edge of your map.

Whats the elevation here???1200

125011501100?This is fine!?Rules for Successful ContouringRule #4Contour lines NEVER, EVER cross

Whats going on?? Is this area above or below 1200 feet?1200

125011501100?Tip 1: What does contour line spacing indicate?The closer together the contour lines are, the steeper the hill is. The more spread apart they are, the gentler the slope.Traveling along the red line would be much steeper than traveling along the green line.Tip 2: Which way is the stream flowing?When contour lines cross a stream or river, they form v-shaped kinks in the lines that always point upstream.

Also remember - Water always flows DOWNHILL!Blue Creek flow towards the East.Tip 3: Finding the hill topsHill tops are easy to find. Just look for the concentric closed contour lines that form the top of a hill. Notice the contour lines that form the two peaks below.

TOPO QUIZNow its time to test your topography map reading skills. Good Luck!!

If you traveled from point A to point B, would you be going uphill or downhill?What landform do you think this map depicts?a. Valleyb. Mountainc. Plain

700750800X825AB3. What is the approximate elevation at the top of this hill?a. 1240b. 1300c. 1000

4. Which hike would be steeper, from A to B or from C to D?120011501100CDAB5. In which direction does Maple Creek flow?NortheastSouthwestCant tell from information given6. What is the contour interval of this map?50 100400 Maple Creek800700600500