San Diego State University Topographical Map and Geographic Questions
3.8 TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS LAB ASSIGNMENT3.8.1 Topographic Maps LabNOTE: For all of the following figures, assume North is up.The following topographic map (Map 3.1) is from a coastal area and features an interesting geological hazard in addition to the Ocean. Using a contour interval of 40 feet, label the elevation of every contour line on the map below. (Note: elevation is meters above sea level, which makes sea level = m).Map 3.1 l Tefend and DelineFor questions 2 through 6, refer to Map 3.2. The topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.Map 3.2 l Tefend and DelineWhat is the contour interval on Map 3.2?What is the regional relief on Map 3.2?Using the contour lines on Map 3.2, which area along the red line is steeper, from A to B or from B to C? Explain how you came to this conclusion.What is the gradient from A to B and B to C on Map 3.2? Show your work.Drumlins can be used to determine the direction of movement in the glacier with the glacier moving toward the shallower side of the structure. Using your previous answers for Map 3.3, what direction was the glacier traveling? Note: unless indicated otherwise, assume that North is up (towards the top of the map).Map 3.3 l Tefend and DelineConstruct a topographic profile from A to A' on the graph paper above. You will need to print out this page, construct your profile, then take a digital photo of this page and upload it with your completed worksheet. Make sure your photo includes your calculation for Question 8, below. Based on the scale you choose for the topography (vertical axis) in question 7, calculate the amount of vertical exaggeration on the topographic profile you constructed above. Show your work.For this page of the lab you will need to use Map 3.5, found at the end of Chapter 3 in the original online lab manual, which can be downloaded by clicking this link (Links to an external site.). Please allow a few minutes for the download, as it is a very large file.Following Maps 3.5 and 3.6 (which we will not be using in this lab) is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps. Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.Questions 8-15: Rome North QuadrangleWhat is the ratio scale of this map?Explain in a sentence how this type of scale works.What is the latitude on the north edge of the map?What is the longitude on the east edge of the map?Find Big Dry Creek, which is north of Rome. What direction does that river flow? Explain two reasons why you came to this conclusion.Examine the large Ridge in the Northwestern portion of the map. What is the tallest point in this ridge? How tall is it?How much higher is that point from Lake Conasauga?What is the gradient between Lake Conasauga and the tallest point in the ridge? Show your work (Hint: zooming out will let you see both features on the map at the same time and may make it easier to measure.Questions 16-24: Your Home Place Topo MapFor the last set of questions in this lab, you will need to locate the topographic quadrangle map for where you live. If you are currently stationed overseas, choose a location where you have previously lived in the United States. To do this, you will be searching a Topographic Map web database. Pick a town or geographical feature as close as possible to where you live. Go to https://www.topoquest.com/ (Links to an external site.) On the top of the page menu, click on Find Places. Select your state and then type in your chosen place. For instance, since I live in Chattahoochee Hills, GA, I would select the state of Georgia and type in the town name, Chattahoochee Hills. After clicking Search, your location should pop up. Click on its name. The new screen should include information about the name of the topographic map containing your community. In my case, Chattahoochee Hills is on USGS 1:24K topographic map Rico, GA. Click on the name of the map. You will see a preview of your topographic map on the screen. Click on the preview image to view the entire map and answer these questions. What state is your topographic map located in?What is the name of your 1:24K topographic map?What is the largest town on the map? Estimate its population. Explain the reasoning behind your population estimate.What is the nature of the topography in this area? Flat? Rolling? Sharp? Mixed? Other?What is the range of elevation in this area? (Highest and lowest points, in feet)Does the highest point on the map have a name? If so, what is it?Which direction(s) do the rivers flow in this area? How can you tell?Which direction(s) do the rivers flow in this area? How can you tell?