Activity 25 Making Topographical Maps

Read the Introduction on Page C-8 Challenge . . . What do the lines on a topographical map show? Key Vocabulary Topography Contour lines Contour intervals Key Scale Topographical map Read the Introduction on Page C-8

Describe the features visible on this map.

This is a topographical Map of Boomtown: A topographical map is a map used to show the shape of the land. Or its topography Contour Lines – the lines that connect all the areas that are the same height relative to sea level. The height difference between the contour lines is called the contour interval

Doing the Activity Read the procedure on page 9. Follow all directions exactly as they are written. Be VERY CAREFUL not to get your lid wet. Make sure you pour water into the box until it just reaches each step. Observe the peak of the hill carefully in Step 8 as you pour water into the box.

Analysis Questions (Page 10) Work in your groups to answer questions #1 and #2. (Answers should be written in complete sentences in your journal.) Work independently to answer questions #3 and #4. (Answers should be written in complete sentences in your journal.)

Analysis Answers: a. Since each contour line represents 1 cm, this would be 1 x 25 m, or 25 m per contour interval. b. The hill is covered just as the water is filled to the sixth line, so this represents about 150 m.

2. a. Our topographical maps show a hill and a flat plain with a valley in between. The map also shows how steep the surface is for these landforms. b. Our map does not shop any changes smaller than the contour interval (25 m), so details are missing. It also doesn’t show anything about the composition of the surface.

3a. Box X shows a fairly flat area 3b. Box Z shows a hill or valley with a gentle slope 3c. Box Y shows a steep hillside

4a. This landform is a valley 4b. Location N is the steepest 4c. Location L is the flattest area

Follow-Up Do you think the landform you mapped is a part of Boomtown? Compare your topographical map with the topographical map of Boomtown.

Your map represents the western portion of the Rolling River and its surrounding area. Your map includes Green Hill and a part of Riverside Forest.