1. Topographic Maps Notes
Arizona State Science Standard
Strand 6: Earth and Space Science, Concept 1: Structure of the Earth, PO3: Explain the following processes involved in the formation of the Earth’s structure: erosion, deposition
Lesson Objective: You will be able to analyze topographic maps to explain an area’s physical landscape.

2. Topographic Map Objective
Students will be able to interpret a topographical map, and use evidence to make conclusions about the topography shown

3. Topography Is the shape, or features of the land.
Features can be natural (mountains, plateaus, plains)
Features can be man-made (dams, roads)

4. Topographic Map
A flat map that uses lines to show Earth’s topography (shape of the land)
Characterized by their “contour lines”
Show an area’s elevation, slope, and relief

5. Topographic Map Uses
Business – use to help them decide where to build new stores, housing or factories
Environment – scientists can determine how much water/wind will cause erosion and can try to prevent it.
Weather – topography effects weather patterns.
Connect objective to Boomtown

6. Contour Lines

7. Contour Lines
Contour lines are lines drawn on a map connecting points of equal elevation
If you physically followed a contour line, elevation would remain constant
Contour lines that have a number on them, tell you the elevation
Not all lines need to have labeled elevations

8. Is the arrow increasing or decreasing in elevation? ___________
Contour Line Labels
CHECK IT!
Is the arrow increasing or decreasing in elevation? ___________
increasing

9. Contour Line Intervals
The change in elevation that each contour line represents.
Can be very small in areas with little change, or very large in areas with rapid change.
Must include unit!!!
820 m
780 m
760 m
740 m
720 m
680 m
Contour interval
(in meters) = ?
20 m

10. Contour Line Intervals
CHECK IT!
What is the contour interval (in feet)? ___________
10 ft

11. Contour Line Intervals
CHECK IT!
What is the contour interval (in meters)? ___________
10 m

12. Contour Line Elevation
Show an area’s elevation, slope, and relief
Elevation:
How high above sea level an area is.
The level of the ocean’s surface is used to measure the height of physical features.

13. Contour Line Elevation
CHECK IT!
What is the elevation of the map (in feet)? ___________
80 ft

14. Contour Line Slope Show an area’s elevation, slope, and relief Slope:
Tells how steep an area is.
The more gradual the slope, the farther apart the contour lines will be.
The steeper the slope, the closer together the contour lines.

15. Which path would be steeper – the red or the blue path? ___________
Contour Line Slope
CHECK IT!
Which path would be steeper – the red or the blue path? ___________
Blue

16. Contour Line Slope B A CHECK IT!
If you wanted to have an intense workout, which area would you want to hike?___________ B A B

17. Contour Line Relief Show an area’s elevation, slope, and relief
The difference between areas of high and low points.
If you subtract the lowest elevation on the map from the areas highest elevation you get a measure of the area’s relief.

18. Contour Line Relief CHECK IT!
What is the relief on this map (in meters) Show your math. ________________________
514 m – 456 m = 58 m

19. Hills & Depressions
Hills are represented by a concentric series of closed contours
Depressions are indicated by hachure marks or tick marks on the downhill side.

20. Is this a hill or a depression? How do you know? ___________
Hills & Depressions
CHECK IT!
Is this a hill or a depression? How do you know? ___________
Depression

21. Remember: Water always flows DOWNHILL!
Streams & Rivers
When contour lines cross a stream or river, they form v-shaped kinks in the lines that ALWAYS point upstream.
Remember: Water always flows DOWNHILL!

22. Is the stream flowing East or West? ___________
Streams & Rivers
CHECK IT!
Is the stream flowing East or West? ___________ E W
East

23. This entire line represents 96 feet above sea level
Rules for Contouring
RULE #1 Every point along a contour line represents the same elevation.
This entire line represents 96 feet above sea level

24. RULE #2 Contour lines NEVER split or divide!
Rules for Contouring
RULE #2 Contour lines NEVER split or divide!
This Can’t happen

25. RULE #3 Contour lines CANNOT just stop!
Rules for Contouring
RULE #3 Contour lines CANNOT just stop!
They either form a closed loop, OR they run off the map.

26. RULE #4 Contour lines NEVER, EVER cross!
Rules for Contouring
RULE #4 Contour lines NEVER, EVER cross!
This Can’t happen

27. TOPO QUIZ Now its time to test your topography map reading skills
TOPO QUIZ Now its time to test your topography map reading skills. Good Luck!!

28. What landform do you think this map depicts? a. Valley b. Mountain
If you traveled from point A to point B, would you be going uphill or downhill?
What landform do you think this map depicts?
a. Valley
b. Mountain
c. Plain
700
750 A
800 X
825 B

29. 3. What is the approximate elevation at the top of this hill?b c
4. Which hike would be steeper, from A to B or from C to D? C D
1200 B
1150 A
1100

30. 5. In which direction does Maple Creek flow? Northeast Southwest
Can’t tell from information given
6. What is the contour interval of this map? 50
100
400
800
600
700
500
Maple Creek

31. Answers to Quiz 1) Uphill 2) Mountain 3) 1240 4) C to D 5) Northeast
3) 1240
4) C to D
5) Northeast
6) 100