Name:
Date:
Block:
Exploring Topography
Directions: Go to www.classzone.com. Select High School Science, VA, “GO”. Click the “Go to the Exploring Earth
Website”. Enter, in the top left, the code ES0307.
1. Write a detailed description of the topography you observe during the flyby. (Page 1)
2. Compare the topographic map to the photo. Describe the pattern of the contour lines around features on the
photo. (Page 2)
3. Click the arrows to move the water up and down. Which part of the land was the last to flood? (Page 3)
4. Read the information on the page. How do you calculate the elevation of any contour line? (Page 4)
5. What is the elevation of points labeled A, B, and C? (Page 4)
6. Describe the overall shape of the land. (Page 5)
7. What do closely spaced lines indicate about the shape of a feature? (Page 5)
8. What is the pattern of the contour lines around a simple hill? (Page 6)
9. Make a sketch of the pattern of the contour lines moving up the valley. Draw an arrow to indicate the direction
water would flow. (Page 7)
10. What landform does the model show? (Page 8)
11. What do hachures on contour lines indicate? (Page 8)
12. Describe the structure inside the blue box. (Page 9)
13. Which point is at a higher elevation, A or B? Explain how you know. (Page 10)
14. Why is the contour interval on this map 200 feet and not 10 feet? (Page 10)
Part 2: Examining Real Topographic Maps
Use the maps from 100 Topographic Maps to answer the following questions.
1. Page 89- In what direction does the stream near Dripping Spring flow? How do you know?
2. Page 89- Look at area 4C on the map. Describe the features or symbols you see in this section.
3. Page 53- Which side of Lookout Mountain is the steepest? How do you know?
4. Page 53- What does the blue area in area 1E represent?
5. Page 48- What do the black * near Lobster Rocks represent?
6. Page 43- How many buildings are on the northeast side of South Pass near Port Eads?
Part 3: Constructing a Topographic Profile
Directions: Draw a topographic profile for maps 1 and 2. Answer the questions for map 3.
Steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Line your piece of scrap paper along the line AB.
Mark on your scrap paper the point at which a contour line intersects with your paper.
Next to each point on your scrap paper write the correct elevation by looking at the topographic map.
On a piece of notebook paper, draw a horizontal line and create a scale going up the left side.
Line your scrap paper up to the horizontal line and move each point from the scrap paper up the scale and plot.
Connect your points. This is a profile of line AB.
Map #1 (Draw Profile)
Map #2 (Draw Profile)
Map#3 (Answer questions based on map)
1. Which of the following is the correct profile for line AB?
2. What is the elevation of point A? _________
3. What direction is the stream flowing? _______
4. What is the distance the river flows? _________
5. Which side of the hill has the steepest slope? _______