2. Topographic Maps show the surface features of an area

3. Contour Lines
Contour Lines are imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation above or below sea level

4. Contour Lines
Equal elevation

5. Rules of Contour Lines Never cross each other Connect with themselves
Get closer together as land gets steeper
Get further apart as land gets flatter

6. The distance that separates contour intervals
The change in elevation from contour line to contour line is called the contour interval
The distance that separates contour intervals

7. Contour Profile The shape you would see if were sliced along a line

8. Gradient
The gradient of a mountainside is a measure of its steepness.

9. 500 m (950 m – 450 m) [Accept all reasonable estimates.]
Relief
The relief of a contour map is the difference between its highest and lowest points.
Contour Interval = 50m
500 m (950 m – 450 m)

10. Let’s take a walk up a hill!

11. We’re now at an elevation of 100 meters.

12. Let’s keep going!
100m

13. Now we’re at 200m.
200m
100m

14. Shall we march on?
200m
100m

15. We’ve made it to 300m!
300m
200m
100m

16. On to the peak!
300m
200m
100m

17. We’re on the peak, but what’s our elevation?
300m
200m
100m

18. Any ideas?
Let’s add contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps.
300m
200m
100m

19. We know that we are above 350m, but less than 400m.

20. Let’s head down the hill, it’s getting late!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

21. Now what’s our elevation?
If you said somewhere between 200m and 250m you are right!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

22. Let’s try this again!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

23. What’s our elevation now?
If you said 50m or just under, you’re right!
350m
300m
250m
200m
150m
100m
50m

24. Let’s now look at the same hill, but the way we might see it from an airplane!

25. Each color change represents a 50 meter increase.

26. Now, let’s try the same hike! Our elevation is 0 meters.

27. Now what is our elevation?

28. If you said more than 150 meters, but less than 200 meters you’re right!

29. Let’s go a little higher.

30. Think you know our elevation now?
More than 300meters
But less than 350meters

31. If we were standing on the peak, what would be our elevation?
More than 350 meters, less than 400 meters

32. Let’s head down hill.

33. Know our elevation?

34. More than 100 meters,
less than 150 meters

35. I think you got it!

36. Let’s see what you know. E C D B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

37. 1. Could the elevation at the peak (B) be 1410 meters?
No :The elevation must be under 1400 meters, but over 1300 meters. E C D B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

38. 2. What is the elevation at (E)?
About 400 meters E C D B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

39. 3. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley?
Down a valley: If the contour lines point up the slope it’s a valley, if they point down the slope it’s a ridge. E C D B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

40. 4.Just looking at the map, would it be easier to head down from the peak going East, or going North?
East: When contour lines are close together that means there is a steep slope, the further apart the lines, the more gentle the slope and therefore an easier walk! Go east! N E C D B W E
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m S

41. What land feature is represented in the picture below?
Depression

42. What land feature is represented in the picture below?
Valley

43. What land feature is represented in the picture below?
Ridge

44. What land feature is represented in the picture below?
Hill

45. Contour Practice 80 m 320 m 880 m 560 m 200 m/km
What is the contour interval of the map at left?
What is the elevation of point A?
What is the elevation of point B?
What is the elevation change between A and B?
If the horizontal distance between point A and point B is 2.8 km, what is the gradient?
80 m
320 m
880 m
560 m
200 m/km

46. Close to Home Local maps
Topo Map -