Topographic Map
Exercise
In the previous lesson you learned about topographic
maps, how to read and interpret the symbols. This
activity is an adaptation of the USGS Web page on reading
a topographic map. Use this form as your answer sheet.
When you have completed the questions, press the submit
button and your answer sheet will be sent to the
instructor.
Since this is a sample,
entering your e-mail address will send this form to your
e-mail box or any other designated e-mail box!
Teachers, feel free to use this page for your
students. Have them enter your e-mail addresss and their
name, and their responses will be sent to you. It is the
intent of this site to add more features like this over
the next few months to make your job easier. Changes will
be occurring during the next few weeks to lessen the
amount of advertising you are subjected to - Please be
patient.
One special kind of map is called a Topographic Map.
It has contour lines to show the shape and elevation of
the land. They are sometimes called "level lines" because
they show points that are at the same level. Here's how
contour lines work:
The top of this drawing is a contour map showing the
hills that are illustrated at the bottom. On this map,
the vertical distance between each contour line is 10
feet.
(1) Which hill has the greater elevation?
(2) Which is steeper, Hill X or Hill Y?
(3) How many feet of elevation are there between
contour lines?
(4) Are the contour lines closer together on Hill X
or Hill Y?
(5) How high is Hill X?
(6) How high is Hill Y?
Look at this picture. It shows a river valley and
several nearby hills.
On the illustration, locate the following
things:
- A church
- A bridge over the river
- An oceanside cliff
- A stream that flows into the main river
- A hill that rises steeply on one side and more
smoothly on the other.
Here is a topographic map of the same place.
Click on the above map image to answer the following
questions. Find the items you located on the illustration
on the topograhic map.
(7) At which location will you find a church?
(8) Identify the symbol for a bridge
(9) At which location will you find an oceanside
cliff? (Hint: remember that when contour lines are close
together, the ground is very steep.)
(10) What is the elevation of the contour line at the
top of Hill Y?
(11) Tell how you might use a topographic map if you
were selecting:
11a. A route for a hike
11b. The best location for an airport
11c. A route for a new road.
(12) As you walk along the road from Point E to Point
F, describe some of the geographical features you might
find.
|