Aim: Topographic Maps

Do Now:

Take an Understanding Altitude Worksheet and

begin answering the questions based on the diagram on the

back of the worksheet.

I. Topography Vocabulary

a) Altitude: elevation above sea level or any other point on earth's surface.

b) Field Map:

A map on which measurements are plotted and connected using isolines

1000 meter isoline

900 meter isoline

Key: units in meters

“iso” means equal

c) Relief map: Uses a 3D image to show elevation.

- Colors could be used to show difference in elevation.

II. Contour Maps

a) Topography:

The shape of the land on Earth’s surface (mountains and valleys)

K2, PakistanChimborazo, Ecuador

b) Topographic Maps:

-show the shape of earth’s surface using isolines.

- on a topographic, isolines are called contour lines

- Contour lines show

points of equal

elevation

c) Index Contour Lines:

Heavy lines spaced at a predetermined elevations on a topographic map.

Index contour line

d) Contour Interval:

The vertical distance (up the hill or down the hill) that separates each contour line on a topographic map.

e) Hachure marks:

refer to a drop in elevation. Indicates a depression in the ground.

f) Bench mark: shows the exact elevation at that point.

Copy diagram into notes, we will look at this when Mr. Greenberg returns

g) Closer contour lines = steep slopes on the land.

h) Further contour lines = gradual slopes on the land.

i) When a river or stream crosses a contour line, the contour line bends and points upstream. This is where the river is coming from.

Copy diagram into notes

j) The highest possible point on a contour map will always be one unit less than the next possible contour line.

Contour Interval = 10 m

X 10 m

Copy diagram into notes, we will look at this when Mr. Greenberg returns

Closure

Obtain the worksheet called “Reading a Topographic Map” from the back table and complete the worksheet. We will go

over it when finished.

Aim: What is Gradient?

Contour Interval = ___

X = bench mark

Do Now:

1) Tell me the contour interval of this map.

2) What is the highest possible point at the bench mark?

X 90m 70 m

10m

99m

Gradient (slope)

-The change in field value over the distance that change took place.

- For topographic maps, you look at your vertical distance over your

horizontal distance.

Gradient = __________________Change in field value

Distance

**The formula is on the over of your ESRT

Gradient examples -

-A hiker climbs 250 meters up a mountain from it’s base to the peak

(vertical). The peak, is 3 km from the base (horizontal). What is the gradient

of the mountain side?

Copy example into your notes

250 m

3 kmBase

Peak

Gradient examples -

Change in field value = 250 meters

Distance = 3 kilometers

250 meters

3 kilometersGradient =

Gradient = 83.3 m/km

•You and your lab partner should each obtain a piece of white paper

•Wait for more instructions

Name Date

Play Dough Mountain

Build Mountain Here

• Your mountains should have a base that is larger than its peak.

• Your mountains should not have very

steep slopes.

• Your mountains should not have a skinny or narrow

peak.

• Your mountains should not have any

other features on them.

AIM:

How do we draw contour lines?

DO NOW

• Take the Gradient packet from the back and answer question 1and 2 only.

Isolines:Iso = similar or the same

Connect points of equal value on a field map.Examples

Isobars, Isotherms, Contour lines10 0

10 0 10 0

10 0

10 0

Rules for Drawing Contour Lines

1. Contour lines don’t cross each other

- Although at a vertical cliff they may be on top of one another

2. Contour lines should close on themselves

- Even if this takes place off the map

3. Contour lines become more closely spaced when the gradient increases

4. Contour lines become further apart when the gradient decreases

Rules for Drawing Contour Lines

5. Closed contours appearing on a map as an ellipses or circles represent hills.

6. Closed contours with hachure marks represent depressions

7. Where contour lines cross streams and rivers they have a v-shape and the v points upstream.

Do Now: REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE DESK AND THE AISLES

• Take a Constructing a Contour Map Lab and one piece of transparency film for you and your partner from the front table

• Take a plastic box with model volcano and a plastic bottle or container from the back for you and your partner.

• Begin defining the 5 vocabulary terms on the cover page of the lab.

We have ONE period to complete this portion of the lab and you must be quiet so we can start. There is a lot going on for this lab and you must

pay attention. We need at least 25 min to complete this portion and we must

watch a video on how to do this.

Watch the Video for instructions on how to do the lab

AIM: How do we make profiles?

Do now:

1) Obtain Both worksheet from the side of the room.

2) Get a ruler for you and your partner to share

I. Contour Profile

- The shape you would see if the land were sliced vertically along a line between two points on a topographic map (side view)

II. Steps for Drawing Topographic Profiles

1. Get a piece of scrap paper

2. We will be making a profile between points B and C. Draw a straight line between these two

points

BC

3. The other side of your sheet has the graph we will sue to plot the profile. Label this graph using the Contour

interval140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

4. Place your scrap paper across the line we drew on the map. Every place a

contour line crosses our scrap paper place a mark and label the mark with

the elevation of that line

BC

5. Take your scrap paper and move it to the graph on the back of the page. Transfer the tick marks we made on

the scrap to the graph140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Gradient for line AC

Change in field value -

Distance –

Gradient =

Gradient =

Copy formula from ESRT -

30 m30 km

30 m

30 km

1 m/km