Topographic Maps Topographic Maps -- maps used to show changes in elevation Shows how high the land is above sea level Shows how much the elevation changes (flat land or mountains)

Topographic Maps 0 = sea level Positive numbers = height above sea level Negative numbers = height below sea level

Topographic Maps Contour Lines – connect areas with the same elevation Contour lines never cross because one point can’t have two elevations (if a point is 100m above sea level, then it can’t be 200m also)

Topographic Maps Contour intervals – distances between contour lines The smaller the intervals (the closer the lines are to each other), the quicker the elevation is changing Which would have closer contour lines, farmland or a mountain range? Mountain range

Topographic Maps Index contours – contour lines with numbers that let you know the exact elevation These numbers are not on every line, so you have to figure out what the interval is Sea level = 0 (0m, 0km, 0mi, etc.)

Topographic Maps Other features: Hachures (dash marks around a circular region) designate a depression (an area of lower elevation) If contour lines form upward Vs, there is a stream present in that location

20 m 720 m 780 m uphill