VOLCANIC ISLAND TOPO MAP CONSTRUCTION (lab)
Name:
Block:
Date:
Materials:
Overhead Markers
Blank Paper
Volcanic Island Model
Ruler
Color Pencils
Objective:
The purpose is to create a topographic map and profile of a volcanic mountain.
PART 1: Make a Topographic Map
Procedure:
1. Remove the plastic lid. Using the cup provided, fill the container with water up to the 1 cm
line. (For this model, 1cm is equal to 100 feet).
2. Replace the plastic lid and draw a contour line on top of the lid.
3. Remove the lid and add water up to the 2 cm line.
Replace and draw your contour line.
4. Repeat step 3 in 1 cm intervals until the volcano is submerged.
5. When your contour lines are complete, trace them onto a white piece of paper. (Hint: use lamps
for light behind your plastic lid to help you!)
6. Carefully pour the water back in the sink.
7. Wipe off the contour lines drawn on the lid.
8. Now place your paper map on the table with the volcanoes crater on your right side. North is
to the top of the paper. Draw a North arrow.
9. Label the contour lines.
FOR ITEMS 10-13 USE THE CORRECT MAP SYMBOLS! LOOK IN THE BACK OF YOUR
TEXTBOOK FOR HELP!!!
10. Draw a river running down the southwest side of the volcano mountain. Be sure to adjust the
contour lines.
11. Draw a road on your volcano island.
12. Add a building, church, or school to your map.
13. Add either a woodland area or an orchard.
14. Name your map (place the name in the appropriate location)
15. Draw a legend for the features you added to your map also include the map scale and contour
interval.
16. Staple your map to the back of this lab.
PART 2: Making a Map Profile
Procedure:
1. Use your ruler to draw a line down the center of your volcano map from East to West. Label
your line X-X’
2. Use your INB on page 21 to make a map profile of your island.
3. Use the graph provided on the next page to transfer your ticks and construct your profile.
Volcanic Island Map Profile
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PART 3: Analysis Questions
Use the map and map profile to answer the following questions.
1. Which side of the volcano is steeper? _________ how did you determine this? _________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the lowest elevation on the map? ________________
3. What is the contour interval of your map in feet?
4. Where on your volcano should there be a depression represented by a depression contour?
________________________________________
5. What is the elevation of the highest point on the island? __________________________
6. Why is every line drawn on your map a closed loop? ________________________________
7. What type of plate boundary do we find volcanic islands such as the one you just mapped?