Mapping

Introduction to Maps Maps are an extremely useful tool for many science and non-science disciplines. They provide “pictures” of areas/regions/land surfaces! Correct interpretation can tell you MANY things! MINGO! Created by L. Zimmerman

Shape of the Earth Bulges at the equator NP Earth is most accurately described as an oblate spheroid (almost a sphere). Flattened at the poles Bulges at the equator SP Created by L. Zimmerman

Finding Locations on the Earth There are three main reference points: Equator North and South Geographic Poles

East–West & North-South on The Earth X axis = Equator. Y axis = Prime Meridian which runs through Greenwich, England. Lat/Long are the 2 grid points by which you can locate any point on earth. Y X

So each of the four quarters can then be designated by North or South and East or West.

The N tells us we’re north of the Equator The N tells us we’re north of the Equator. The S tells us we’re south of the Equator. The E tells us that we’re east of the Prime Meridian. The W tells us that we’re west of the Prime Meridian. (N, W) (N, E) (S, W) (S, E)

ALL points in North America will have a North latitude and a West longitude because it is North of the Equator and West of the Prime Meridian. (N, W) Prime Meridian

If you said South and East , you’re right! What would be the latitude and longitude directions in Australia? ? Prime Meridian If you said South and East , you’re right!

Latitude (parallels) Describe positions North and South of the equator. Parallels run east to west around the world. Parallels are measure in degrees from 0 to 90. Those that are above the equator are labeled North; those below are labeled South. Each degree of latitude consists of 60 equal parts called minutes. Each minute is divided into 60 seconds Example: 38o 53’ 51”

Created by L. Zimmerman

Longitude (meridians) Describes positions East and West of the Prime Meridian. Meridians run north and south around the world. The 0o meridian is called the Prime Meridian and runs directly through Greenwich, England. Locations east of Prime Meridian have longitudes between 0 and 180o E. Locations west of the Prime Meridian have longitudes between 0 and 180o W. Longitude can also be broken down into minutes and seconds.

Created by L. Zimmerman

Longitude Determines TIME The Earth is divided into 24 time zones! because the Earth Rotates Rate of ROTATION – think….. The Earth Spins 360 0 in 24 hours = 150 /hour We measure from The Prime Meridian in Greenwich England Every 15 0 to the East = +1 Hour Every 150 to the West = - 1 Hour Created by L. Zimmerman

4:00 PM If it is 4:00 PM in New York What time will it be in Iowa, Utah, and Oregon?

Mapping the Earth’s Surface Cartography – science of map making Maps – flat representations of Earth The best representation of earth is a globe. No matter what type of map is made, some portion is always distorted. Cartographers work to minimize the effects of these distortions. Cartographer=map maker

Reading a Map Legend - list of symbols and their meanings Scale – indicates the relationship (a ratio) between the distances on the map and the actual distance Cartographer=map maker

Features of Topographic Maps Elevation – height above sea level Sea level – point between the highest and lowest tide levels (elevation at sea level = 0) Contour lines – used to show elevation and connect all points on the map with equal elevation Contour interval – difference in elevation between one contour line and the next Relief – difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points Index contour – every 5th line is BOLD and its elevation is labeled

Contour Lines: Connect all points on a map that have the same elevation above sea level. Created by L. Zimmerman

Topographic Maps There are many symbols used on the map. These are explained in the legend.

Topographic Maps Contour lines spaced close together indicate a steep slope. Contour lines spaced far apart indicate a gentle slope. Contour lines that form a closed loop indicate a hill. V-shaped contour lines indicate a valley and the “V” will point upstream. (Rivers flow DOWNHILL)

Created by L. Zimmerman