Topographic Maps

What are topographic maps?

What are topographic maps? A topographic map is a two dimensional map that can be used to show elevation, relief, and landforms.

Rules of Topographic Mapping!!

Rules of Topographic Mapping!! A contour line connects the points of equal elevation. Contour lines that are close together represent steep slopes; those that are far apart represent gentle slopes. gentle slopes Steep slopes

Rules of Topographic Mapping!! Closed contour lines represent hills. Contour lines form V’s when they cross rivers. If the river is wide, the lines may look more like a U. The V’s always point upstream.

Every fifth contour line is called and index contour line. It is darker than the others

Rules of Topographic Mapping!! Hachures on contour lines indicate the elevation is decreasing. This is called a depression. Skip #7 – It is a repeat 8. The elevation at the first hachured contour line is the same as the adjacent, lower regular contour line. Hachure

This is a mountainous island This is a mountainous island. Imagine that someone has painted lines on the mountains, and that each line is 500 feet higher than the line before.

Steep slope The distance between the contour lines is known as the contour interval. The contour interval of this map is ________ feet. Notice that there are two peaks of the mountain. On the right side, the lines are closer together, indicating that the right side of the mountain as a steep slope.