Mapping Earth’s Surface (This section is really all just vocabulary so if you know the words you are good to go!) Exploring Earth’s surface Topography-the shape of the land determined by elevation, relief, and landforms Elevation-height above sea level Relief-the difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area Landform-a feature of topography formed by the processes that shape the earth Plains-a landform made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief Mountains-a landform with high elevation and high relief Plateaus-a large landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface, low relief Landform Region-A large area of land where the topography is made up of mainly one type of landform ex. Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, Sierra Nevada Coastal Plain, Atlantic Coastal Plain Upland-hilly Lowland-plains with low elevation

Mapping Earth’s Surface Models of Earth (in a nutshell) Terms you should be familiar with and in some cases know how to locate/use Map Globe Map key Map scale Degree Equator Hemisphere Prime meridian Latitude Longitude Latitude and Longitude Points on Earth’s surface can be located using the grid of latitude and longitude lines. Degrees Around Distances around a circle are measured in degrees. Equator and Prime Meridian The equator and prime meridian divide Earth’s surface into hemispheres

Mapping Earth’s Surface Topographic Maps Topographic Maps-A map that shows the surface features or shape of an area, it shows how high and low the ground is in relation to sea level (elevation) Contour Lines-A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation Contour lines show elevation, relief, and slope Contour lines never touch or cross. Contour lines are close together, then that indicates that area has a steep slope. Contour lines are far apart, then that indicates the land has a gentle slope (low slope). Contour Interval-the difference in elevation from one contour line to the next For a given map, the contour interval is always the same Index Contour-a heavier contour line that is labeled with elevation of that contour line Benchmark-point where exact elevation is known and is marked with a brass or aluminum plate. marked BM on the map with the elevation numbers given in feet (ours is marked with an X) useful to help determine contour lines.

Mapping Earth’s Surface Depressions A depression, such as the inside of a dead volcano, is represented by Hachure lines. Hachure lines are regular contour lines with small segments sticking out from it. The first hachure line is at the same elevation as the contour line before it. Streams Contour lines form V’s that point upstream when they cross a stream. It is important to remember that they point in the opposite direction as the flow of water