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Learn to interpret topographic maps by understanding the relationship between contour lines, elevation changes, and slope steepness. Walk through elevation levels and discover the significance of contour line spacing for different terrains.
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Topographic Maps Chad Sperry WIU GIS Center
What if my contour lines are close together? • If the contour lines are close together, then that indicates that area has a steep slope.
What if my contour lines are far apart? • If the contour lines are far apart, then that indicates the land has a gentle slope (low slope).
Let’s keep going! 100m
Now we’re at 200m. 200m 100m
Shall we march on? 200m 100m
We’ve made it to 300m! 300m 200m 100m
On to the peak! 300m 200m 100m
We’re on the peak, but what’s our elevation? 300m 200m 100m
Any ideas? Let’sadd contour lines for every 50 meters and see if that helps. 300m 200m 100m
We know that we are above 350m, but less than 400m. 350m 300m 250m 200m 150m 100m 50m
Contour lines Relationship between topographic features and contour lines
Title and Location MAP TITLE
Title and Location QUADRANGLE LOCATION
Map design Other Information
Map Scale Definition A means of showing the relationship between the size of an object or feature indicated on a map and the actual size of the object on the ground. Scale is expressed as a ratio, such as 1:24,000 (i.e. 1 unit on the map equal 24,000 units on the ground) and shown graphically by Scale bars marked in feet and miles or meters and kilometers.
Scale Decreasing Detail Increasing Coverage 1:24,000 scale 1:100,000 scale 1:125,000 scale
More than Contours Symbols represent features such as streets, buildings, streams, and vegetation Blue lines/shapes - represent water features, such as streams and lakes. Brown – contour lines Black – Roads, buildings, railroads, other man made objects. Green – Woodland areas Red - Highways