![]() ![]() Divide that difference by the number of contour lines between them, PLUS 1.Take the difference in elevation between 2 bold lines.The legend on the map will also tell you the contour interval. This difference between contour lines is called the contour interval. Two contour lines next to one another are separated by a constant difference in elevation (e.g.That would mean one place had two different elevations, which cannot happen. The contour lines run next to each other and NEVER cross one another.The bold contour lines are labeled with numerical elevations. Each contour line represents a specific elevation and connects all the places that are at the same elevation.Let's take a closer look at this (Figure 2.28). What makes a topographic map different from other maps? Contour lines help show various elevations.įigure 2.28: Topographic map of Swamp Canyon Trail portion of Bryce Canyon National Park.Ĭontour Lines and Intervals Ĭontour lines connect all the points on the map that have the same elevation. This type of map is called a topographic map (Figure 2.28). You need a special type of map to represent the elevations in an area. Where are the hills and valleys located? How high are the canyon walls? Which way will streams or rivers flow? But nothing on the map shows the height of the terrain. You see some markers for campsites, a picnic area, and a shuttle bus stop. You can see a green line which is the main road. Now look at the corresponding section of the Visitor's map (Figure 2.27). Figure 2.27: Portion of Bryce Canyon National Park road map. There are high and low points between the cliffs.įigure 2.26: View of Bryce Canyon National Park. The terrain clearly has many steep cliffs. You can see the rugged canyon walls and valley below. Look at this view of Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah (Figure 2.26). A topographic map will show you that the road bends to go around a hill or stops because that When you use a regular road map, you can see where the roads go, but a road map doesn't tell you why a road stops or bends. Contour lines are drawn on a topographic map to show the location of hills, mountains and valleys. Topographic maps use a special type of line, called a contour line, to show different elevations on a map. Topographic maps represent the locations of major geological features. Mapping is a crucial part of earth science. Explain how various earth scientists use topographic maps to study the Earth.Explain how to read and interpret a topographic map.Explain what information a topographic map contains.5 How Do Earth Scientists Use Topographic Maps?. ![]() Figure 9.7 Hachured contour lines indicate depressions. In the case of a depression, you instead subtract, because you're going down in elevation. Do the same when trying to determine the elevation of a hill top. For example, if a location point is between the 150 feet and 200 feet contour lines than the elevation is 175 feet (1/2 of 50 feet is 25 feet 25 feet added to 150=175 feet). ![]() For consistency, assume that elevations between contour lines are 1/2 a contour interval higher than elevation of the lower line. Interpolate between the contour lines that bracket the point to get the elevation. Determine whether the point is higher or lower than the known elevation by examining the sequence of adjacent contour line elevations and by taking note of nearby feature names, such as "fire tower," "valley," and so forth. Remember that every fifth contour line is a heavier index contour, but you may have to follow contour lines some distance before finding an elevation label. This may be a benchmark or a contour line. Find the known elevation closest to the point. Determine the contour interval for the map. To determine the elevation of a point on a topographic map: 1. ![]()
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