1. Topographic Maps

2. A topographic map shows the shape of the Earth’s surface features by using contour lines.

3. Represented by the smallest circles, the tops of the mountains/hills.

4. Height above a given area; most maps use sea level as a reference point.

5. A cross sectional view along a line drawn through a portion of the Earth.

6. Imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation above or below sea level.
The closer the lines, the steeper the mountain.

7. The difference in elevation represented by each contour line.

8. A contour line accentuated by a heavier line weight to distinguish it from other contour lines.

9. The representation of the shapes of hills, valleys, streams, or terrain features.
Rivers form a ‘V’ on a topographic map.
If the contour lines point up the slope it’s a valley, if they point down the slope it’s a ridge.

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. Let’s add contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps.
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 your 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’ve got it!

36. Let’s see what you can do!
Cut them out, glue them on the same page, and answer!

37. Question 1 First, figure out the contour interval. 10 m
Second, label the contour lines.
Third, answer question 1.
550m

38. 540 m
550 m
530 m
510 m
560 m
Question 2
510 m
530 m
540 m
540 m
550 m
530 m
Now that you have your contour lines labeled, the rest of the questions will be simple.
Answer question 2.
560 m

39. 540 m
550 m
530 m
510 m
560 m
Question 3
510 m
530 m
540 m
540 m
550 m
530 m
To answer question 3, you must first find the elevation of C and D.
Position C is ______.
560 m
Position D is ______.
550 m
Therefore, Position ___ has a higher elevation.
Position C

40. 540 m
550 m
530 m
510 m
560 m
Question 4
510 m
530 m
540 m
540 m
550 m
530 m
This will be easy because we figured this out in Question 1.
The contour interval is __.
10 m

41. 540 m
550 m
530 m
510 m
560 m
Question 5
510 m
530 m
540 m
540 m
550 m
530 m
To answer question 5 we must first figure out the elevation of Positions A and B.
Position A is ____.
500m
Position B is ____.
550m
So the change, difference, is ___.
550m-500m = 50m

42. 540 m
550 m
530 m
510 m
560 m
Question 6
510 m
530 m
540 m
540 m
550 m
530 m
First we must figure out the elevation of Positions C and D.
Position C is ____.
560m
Position D is ____.
550m
Net change means what the difference between the two.
560m-550m = 10m

43. Erosion from a stream or river caused the ‘V’ shape on the side of the mountain.

44. Quiz Time
Number 1-6 in your notebook and write your answers to the following questions.
Ready?

45. 1. Could the elevation at the peak (B) be 1410 meters?F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

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

47. 3.What is the elevation difference between (A) and (B)?
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

48. 4. Could the elevation at (F) be 417 meters?

49. 5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley?B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

50. 6.Just looking at the map, would it be easier to head down from the peak going East, or going North?C D B W E
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m S

51. 1. Could the elevation at the peak (B) be 1410 meters?F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

52. 1. No :The elevation must be under 1400 meters, but over 1300 meters.
Answers!
1. No :The elevation must be under 1400 meters, but over 1300 meters.

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

54. Answers!
2. about 400 meters

55. 3.What is the elevation difference between (A) and (B)?
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

56. Answers!
3. (A) is probably close to the 750 meter line, (B) is above 1300 meters. The difference between the two would probably be 600 to 700 meters.

57. 4. Could the elevation at (F) be 417 meters?

58. 4. No: It must be more than 700 meters and less than 800 meters.
Answers!
4. No: It must be more than 700 meters and less than 800 meters.

59. 5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley?B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

60. Answers!
5. 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.

61. 5. If you walked a straight line from (D) to (C) would you walk over a ridge or down a valley? D B
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m

62. 6.Just looking at the map, would it be easier to head down from the peak going East, or going North?C D B W E
1200m F
1000m A
800m
400m
600m S

63. Answers!
6. 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!