1. Aim: How do we read/use Topographic Maps?
Do Now:
In your notes, list all the different types of landforms/features on Earth that you can think of.
Example: Hills, Valleys, Streams

2. Topography: The shape of the land. Grand Canyon, Arizona K2, Pakistan
Napa Valley, California

3. Topographic Maps:
Represent the shape of the land on a flat piece of paper.

4. Each isoline connects values that are equal.
Isolines/Contour Lines represent different elevations on a topographic map.
Each isoline connects values that are equal. m
“iso” means equal

5. What value is sea-level?
Altitude:
The height above sea-level or above a specific point on a map.
What value is sea-level?
Get the Altitude worksheet from the back of the room. You and your partner should work on this worksheet together. We will go over it in 10 min.

6. I. Parts of Topographic maps:
a) Index Contour Lines: labeled with the elevation.
Using the index contour lines, determine the value of the lines in between.
Index contour lines

7. b) Contour Interval:
Represents a vertical measurement (up hill or down hill).
Measurement that separates contour lines.

8. Copy diagram into notes
c) Hachure marks:
refer to a drop in elevation (depression/hole in the ground).
Copy diagram into notes
The first hachured line repeats the same value as the countour line before it.
The second hachured line counts down by the contour interval.
d) Bench mark: shows the exact elevation at that point.

9. E) River and Streams
When a river or stream crosses a contour line, the contour line bends and points upstream, due to erosion.
upstream
downstream
Upstream is where the river starts.
Downstream is where the river ends.

10. Which side of the hill is the steepest?
II. Calculations on Contour Maps
a) Gradient
Refers to the steepness of the land (slope)
Closer contour lines = steep slopes.
Further contour lines = gradual slopes.
Which side of the hill is the steepest?
WHY? N

11. What is the highest possible value of X?
b) The highest possible point
will always be one unit of measure less than the next possible contour line.
What is the highest possible value of X?
X m
Contour Interval = 10 m

12. Closure
Obtain the worksheet called “What is a topographic Map?” from the back bottom bin and complete that side only. We will go over it when finished.