1. Aim: How to Read a Topographic Map
Objective: Ability to read a map, correctly
Vocabulary: topography, topographic

2. Different Kind of Maps Most maps show distances
Where things are located
What is produced in an area
Topographic maps show the topography
Show the contours of the land
Show “height and depth”

3. Topographic Maps
Contour Interval
Simple Topographic Map
Contour Lines

4. Topographic Maps
More Complex Topographic Map

5. Topographic Maps Topographic Map Shows heights
What is the highest elevation of this map?
The lowest?

6. To read a topographic map
First determine the contour lines
Then determine the contour intervals

7. Contour Lines Topographic maps use contour lines.
A contour line on a map connects points that are at the same distance above, or below, sea level
For example, the 20' contour line connects all points on the map that are exactly 20' above sea level.

8. Contour Intervals
The contour interval is the vertical distance represented between adjacent contour lines.
If the contour interval is 10', then after the 20’ contour line would be the 30’ contour line.
If a point on a map is between the 20' and the 30' contour lines, then you know its greater than 20' above sea level and less than 30' above sea level

9. Contour Intervals
The spacing of contour lines on a map tells you how "steep" the slope is.
If you turned a soup bowl upside down it would look like this

10. Examine this topographic map
Copy it !

11. Examine this topographic map
What is the lowest elevation?
What is the next highest elevation?
Now you can determine the interval

12. Examine this topographic map
Which side would you want to climb, N or S.
Why?

13. You make a topographic map by connecting various elevations with a contour line?

14. How would you draw a topo map?