Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Anywhere Topography
Introduction:
Topographic maps (or contour maps) are used to show the contour (or shape) of the
earth’s surface. Features that can be seen in the real world, mountains, valleys,
cliffs, depressions, rivers, etc., can be expressed on a topographic map using a type
of isoline called a contour line. These contour lines represent points of equal
elevation using the same interval on the entire map.
In this lab you will use the maps of fictitious locations to practice answering
topographic map questions.
Objective:
Students will analyze and interpret the information represented on a topographic
map.
Vocabulary:
Isoline
Contour Line
Interval
Gradient
Map Scale
Profile
Procedure:
1. Answer all questions for the three maps on the report sheets.
a. Outer Wear, USA [Map a]
b. No Wear, USA [Map b]
c. Some Wear, USA [Map c]
2. All values should include proper units.
3. Be sure to show your work for all gradient problems.
4. Use the areas provided to make sketches including the 6 profiles (2 from each
map)
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Outer Wear, USA [Map a]
1a.
What is the contour interval on the map?
2a.
What is the maximum possible elevation of Poker Peak to the
nearest foot?
3a.
What is the minimum possible elevation of Spit Pit to the nearest
foot?
4a.
What is the distance between points A and B?
5a.
What is the gradient between points C and D?
(Show all work in the space provided)
6a.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point X lays?
7a.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Y lays?
8a.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Z lays?
9a.
Which side of Poker Peak is the steepest?
(North, South, East, or West)
10a.
Which direction does Sleek Creek flow?
(North, South, East, or West)
11a.
How are mountains represented on a topographic map? (Sketch)
12a.
Sketch the profile along line N-O and line H-I.
(Use the spaces provided on the answer sheet)
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
No Wear, USA [Map b]
1b.
What is the contour interval on the map?
2b.
What is the maximum possible elevation of Mount Mahopac to the
nearest foot?
3b.
What is the minimum possible elevation of Brewster Bottom Swamp
to the nearest foot?
4b.
What is the distance between points A and B?
5b.
What is the gradient between points C and D?
(Show all work in the space provided)
6b.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point X lays?
7b.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Y lays?
8b.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Z lays?
9b.
Which side of Mount Mahopac is the steepest?
(North, South, East, or West)
10b.
Which direction does Carmel Caramel River flow?
(North, South, East, or West)
11b.
How are swamps represented on a topographic map? (Sketch)
12b.
Sketch the profile along line N-O and line H-I.
(Use the spaces provided on the answer sheet)
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Some Wear, USA [Map c]
1c.
What is the contour interval on the map?
(You must determine it using information from the map)
2c.
What is the maximum possible elevation of Red Mill Hill to the
nearest foot?
3c.
What is the minimum possible elevation of Recession Depression to
the nearest foot?
4c.
What is the distance between points A and B?
5c.
What is the gradient between points C and D?
(Show all work in the space provided)
6c.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point X lays?
7c.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Y lays?
8c.
What is the elevation of the contour line on which point Z lays?
9c.
Which side of Red Mill Hill is the steepest?
(North, South, East, or West)
10c.
Which Direction does St. Seam Stream flow?
(Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, or Southwest)
11c.
How are mountains represented on a topographic map? (Sketch)
12c.
Sketch the profile along line N-O and line H-I.
(Use the spaces provided on the answer sheet)
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Anywhere Topography
Report Sheet
Outer Wear, USA [Map a]
1a. ____________________
6a. ____________________
2a. ____________________
7a. ____________________
3a. ____________________
8a. ____________________
4a. ____________________
9a. ____________________
5a. ____________________
10a. ____________________
Show Work for question 5a
Sketch for questions 11a
Make Profile sketches for questions 12a below
N-O
H-I
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Anywhere Topography
Report Sheet
No Wear, USA [Map b]
1b. ____________________
6b. ____________________
2b. ____________________
7b. ____________________
3b. ____________________
8b. ____________________
4b. ____________________
9b. ____________________
5b. ____________________
10b. ____________________
Show Work for question 5b
Sketch for questions 11b
Make Profile sketches for questions 12b below
N-O
H-I
Name: _______________________
Topographic Map Lab
Date: __________ /Page#: ____
Mr. Jensen/Period: _____
Anywhere Topography
Report Sheet
Some Wear, USA [Map c]
1c.
____________________
6c.
____________________
2c.
____________________
7c.
____________________
3c.
____________________
8c.
____________________
4c.
____________________
9c.
____________________
5c.
____________________
10c. ____________________
Show Work for question 5c
Sketch for questions 11c
Make Profile sketches for questions 12c below
N-O
H-I