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Topograph Map

Contour maps use contour lines to connect points of equal elevation and represent the topography of an area. Contour lines become closer together in steep slopes and farther apart in gradual slopes. They never cross and can indicate features like valleys, hills, and depressions. Contour maps are generated from elevation points measured in the field and contours are estimated and drawn at regular intervals between those points. Topographic profiles provide a cross-sectional view of contour maps with an exaggerated vertical scale to show landform details. Other mapping methods include aerial photography, satellite imagery, computer models, and geologic maps.

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Prakash Kumar Kumar
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69 views

Topograph Map

Contour maps use contour lines to connect points of equal elevation and represent the topography of an area. Contour lines become closer together in steep slopes and farther apart in gradual slopes. They never cross and can indicate features like valleys, hills, and depressions. Contour maps are generated from elevation points measured in the field and contours are estimated and drawn at regular intervals between those points. Topographic profiles provide a cross-sectional view of contour maps with an exaggerated vertical scale to show landform details. Other mapping methods include aerial photography, satellite imagery, computer models, and geologic maps.

Uploaded by

Prakash Kumar Kumar
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Topographic Maps and Countours

Academic Resource Center

Topography: The relief features or configuration of an area.


*How do we measure it?

Contour Lines
Contour lines, or isohypses, connect points of equal elevation. Consider a receding water level.

Contour Map Characteristics


Index Contours are used to label the elevation of the their associated points.
Bolded to facilitate reading of the map. Often occur in intervals of five contour lines.

Contour Map Characteristics


Contour Interval: Horizontal distance between two contours
Close together: Steep slope Far apart: Gradual slope
Gradual Slope Steep Slope

Contour Map Characteristics


Valleys: Lines form a V pattern along valleys
Vs point upstream; indicating the direction of the stream flow. Streams always flow downhill Contours can and do cross streams

Contour Map Characteristics


Concurrency: Contour lines never cross or divide.
Cliffs: May appear to merge on vertical cliffs, but are stacked. Caves: May appear to cross in caves, but go under one another.

Contour Map Characteristics


Hills and knobs are shown as closed, concentric contours.
Closed depressions and basins are shown as closed contours with hatches pointing downslope.
Hills:

Depressions:

Contour Map Characteristics


Other geologic features commonly expressed by contour maps include:
Drumlins Sink Holes Sand Dunes Volcanos Dissected Plateaus Rolling Hills Folds

Contour Map Generation


In the field, points and their elevations are measured using automatic levels, total stations, or GPS devices
Geotechnical engineers use these points to generate topographic maps.

Contour Map Generation

Contour Map Generation


Estimating Contour Intervals:
Use an engineering scale Measure the distance between two points Divide the distance by the number of contours Mark the points along the interval

Contour Map Generation


Example:
Contours are to be placed every ten feet.

d = 300 feet

There are to be three contour lines on this interval. Divide 300 feet by 3 to get one contour every 100 feet. Mark four points (two on the endpoints, and two between) and draw the contours.

Topographic Profiles
Cross-sectional view of a portion of a topographic map. Used to demonstrate the vertical scale of landforms. Usually use an exaggerated scale.

Topographic Profiles
Generating profiles:
Draw a line between the two points bounding the desired profile area. Place a folded sheet of paper along the line. Mark each contour line intersecting the paper. From each mark, indicate the vertical height with a dot on a scale. Connect the height dots with a smooth line.

Other Mapping Methods


Aerial Photography Extensive visual details Allow stereoscopic viewing Lack information about rock bodies, terrain, and other geologic features

Other Mapping Methods


Landsat and Radar

Earth Resources Observation System (EROS): satellite array Can see through cloud cover Can be enhanced with false color Used by Google Earth

Other Mapping Methods


Computer Generated Terrain Models Store vast amounts of data Can be rendered from Landsat and radar data Vertical scale can be exaggerated Reveals features that may not be immediately apparent

Other Mapping Methods


Geologic Maps Display different rock types in an area Readily available on United States Geological Survey websites Usually lack elevation information

Questions?

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