PSC 153 – Earth/Space Science Lab
Lab #3
Surface Features
Group worksheet:
group members ___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Introductory Material:
In this lab, we will be studying various land surface features: what they are and how they
are depicted in models and maps.
Part 1: Maps Overview
Goals:
- practice reading maps
- locate positions by latitude and longitude
- determine latitude and longitude for a location
- calculate a distance from a map scale
Terms:
 Equator – circle around the Earth centered between the N and S poles
 Latitude – angular distance N or S of the Equator
 Parallel – a circle of constant latitude parallel to the equator
 Meridian – half circle from N pole to S pole , line of constant longitude
 Prime Meridian – the meridian line which runs through Greenwich, England
 Longitude – angular distance East or West of Prime Meridian
Use the maps and globes to help review the following questions. Ask for help if you are
not sure on anything.
1.1) The 0 latitude line is also called the ________________.
1.2) The 0 longitude line is also called the ______________________.
1.3) The largest value for longitude is _______ degrees.
1.4) The largest value for latitude is _______ degrees.
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1.5) If you know a city has a latitude of 45 N, it must be in the _________ hemisphere.
1.6) Using the world map on the following page, clearly label the following features in
colored pencil:
 A= the equator
 B = the prime meridian
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
C = the 40 N parallel line

D = the 60 E meridian line
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1.7) On the globe, find each of the cities listed below and estimate its approximate
Latitude and Longitude.
Latitude
Longitude
 Rome, Italy
____________
______________
 Lima, Peru
____________
______________
The following questions all refer to the map of South Carolina (which should be right
after the world map in your packet).
1.8) To calculate the Scale factor, measure the scale bar (make sure you line the 0 mark
up with the first line on the ruler not the edge of the ruler).
30 km (real distance) = _______ mm (map distance)
1.9) Use the conversion factor measured above to calculate what a distance of 1 cm on
the map would correspond to in real distance. ______________
1.10) Use the conversion factor to determine the real distance between Seneca, SC and
Moncks Corner, SC
map distance = _________
real distance = _________
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Part 2: Surface Features and Contour Maps
Goals:
- create a contour map of a small land model
- visualize the relationship between surface features and their contour maps
Terms:
 topography - shape of the land surface
 contour maps - a map showing elevations through the use of contour lines
 contour line - a line representing constant elevation across the surface
Overview:
You will now construct a topographic map of a small landform model. Since water
naturally forms a flat surface of constant elevation, we can use it to define contour lines
of constant elevation. Follow the basic outline of steps below to create your contour map
on the plastic sheet. Do not mark directly on the white plastic model.
2.1) Take the plastic model out of its box. Describe the general features of the the land
shape. ______________________________________________________________
2.2) Use a ruler and grease pencil to make marks one centimeter apart up the side of the
box, beginning at the bottom. Label this elevation scale using zero at the bottom.
2.3) Place your model back into the box. The instructor will demonstrate how to use
tape to secure the model to the box.
2.4) Carefully fill the box with water until you reach your first mark. Most likely, the
water will not yet be above the edge of the plastic model. So you should fill the box to
the next line.
2.5) Place the lid on the box and secure the clear acetate sheet on top of the lid with
tape.
2.6) Using the grease pencil, trace out the shoreline onto the acetate sheet by looking
straight down through the lid. Make sure you are directly over the area you are tracing.
(It is helpful to cover one eye while doing this)
2.7) Remove the lid, and fill the box with water until you reach the next mark on the
side of the box.
2.8) Repeat the tracing and filling step until you complete the 7 cm contour line.
2.9) Each cm on the model represents 250 feet on the actual mountain. Use this
relationship to label the contours with their corresponding elevations.
2.10) Have your instructor check your contour map and initial here before proceeding.
_____
2.11) What does the mountain peak look like on the contour map? _______________
2.12) Where on your topographic map are the contour lines the closest together?
_______________________________
2.13) Is the part of the model you indicated above relatively steep or flat?
_______________
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Part 3: Topographic Contour maps
Goals:
- read a contour map
- determine the contour interval of a topographic map
- visualize the landform represented by a topographic map
- describe the relative locations of surface features
Terms:
 contour interval - the vertical distance separating two adjacent contour lines
 concentric - having a common center, as circles of different size, one within another
 depression - a region of the surface which is lower in elevation than the surrounding
land
For this section you will be using the square topographic map labeled “B”. Some
additional information on contour maps is given in the Handout “C” available on the
front table.
3.1) What is the contour interval for the handout “B” contour map? ________________
3.2) What is the lowest elevation marked with a contour line on the map? ___________
3.3) What is the highest elevation marked with a contour line on the map? ________
3.4) What is the highest elevation marked as a reference point on the map? __________
What is this point called? ____________
3.5) What is the approximate elevation at the town of Rockville? __________
3.6) What general shape do all of the mountains and hills share? _______________
3.7) Where is the steepest slope on the map? (express as a direction from the closest
peak) _______________________________
3.8) Locate “Rapid Brook” on the map. What direction does the water flow? ________
Notice the small region in the upper right hand corner of the map “B” where there is a
300 foot contour inside a 400 foot contour line. Since the center of this region is lower
than the edges, it depicts a depression. On topographic maps depression contours are
distinguished by the hachure marks on the contour lines.
3.9) Are the hachure marks on the uphill or downhill side of the contour lines?
________________________
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Part 4: Aerial Photographs
To view a stereoscopic aerial photograph, called a stereogram, the stereoscope is
placed directly over the line separating the two photos of the same feature. Refer to the
diagram at the front of the “Stereo Atlas” book for the positioning of the stereoscope. As
you look through the stereoscope, it may have to be moved around slightly until the
image appears in three dimensions.
To provide some practice viewing stereograms, use the stereoscope provided to
your group and place it over the stereogram on handout “D”. As you view the
photographs, adjust the stereoscope until you can see the volcanic cone in threedimensions. You may have to be patient until your eyes focus. Make sure each group
member has had a chance to view the stereogram before answering the following
questions.
Using the stereogram on handout “D” :
4.1) Find the summit of the volcano. Describe where the highest point is.
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4.2) Describe where the flattest area is on the stereogram.
________________________________________________
Now use the stereograms in the atlas along with their topographic maps to answer the
following questions.
Note: Do not write or mark in the atlas!!
4.3) On page 5, describe how the topography changes near the creeks.
________________________________________________
4.4) Are the flattest regions higher or lower than the surrounding area? _____________
How can you tell? _______________________________
4.5) On page 10, is the town at a higher or lower elevation than the National Forest area
(located along the top half of the topographic map or stereogram)? ___________
4.6) The creeks can be seen cutting into the forest land. Wherever the creek cuts across a
contour line, it forms a small V shape. Do the V's point up stream or downstream?
___________ How can you tell? ____________________________
4.7) Describe the land features seen in one other stereogram and topographic map set.
Page number ____ Description________________________________________
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