EXERCISE 1: READING A TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

Geologists use topographic maps in landform formation studies, mineral exploration, and natural disaster mitigation. Maps concisely represent vast amounts of information and are valuable in reconstructing the Earth's history. In this exercise, you will use your knowledge of contour patterns and map legends to read a topographic map.

PROCEDURE

1. Study the topographic map provided in your kit. Look for index contour lines, contour line spacing, symbols, and labeled landforms.

2. Answer the questions on the Exercise 1 Data Sheet. Be sure to show all calculations in your work.

EXERCISE 1 DATA SHEET

1. What is the approximate elevation of Wonderland Lake? Explain your reasoning.

2. What is the elevation of the peak of Poorman Hill (near the western border of the map, midway between north and south)? Explain your reasoning.

3. Boulder Creek is just south of Poorman Hill. Which is steeper: the banks of the creek or the area close to the peak of Poorman Hill? Explain your reasoning.

4. You decide to walk from the top of Poorman Hill to Boulder Creek directly south. What is the relief of this walk? Sketch your path on the map, and show your calculations below. Be sure to take a picture of your path, and include it in your response.

5. When taking into account the horizontal distance (from the map scale) and the vertical distance (relief), what is the total distance of your walk in question 4? Show your calculations below (Hint: use the Pythagorean Theorem, a2 + b2 = c2).

6. Standing on the peak of Poorman Hill, you decide to walk to the intersection of Canyon Lane and Broadway. Trace the easiest route on the map, and explain your reasoning. Take a picture of your route, and include it in your response.

MATERIAL: Graph Paper, Camera Phone, Pencil, Plain Paper, Printer Access

PROCEDURE PART 2

3. Print the map that will be used to construct the topographic profile (Figure 10, below).

4. Obtain a blank sheet of paper (notebook or computer paper is fine).

5. To begin construction of the profile, lay the edge of the paper along the link marked A-B on Figure 10.

6. Mark the position of A and B along the edge of your paper.

7. Make a small mark on the edge of the paper each time a contour line touches the edge of the paper. Label each mark with the elevation that the contour line indicates. The elevation of the map is in feet.

8. Lay the marked notebook (or computer) paper on top of the graph paper so that the edge of the notebook (or computer) paper lines up with one of the horizontal gridlines on the graph paper.

9. Mark points A and B from the edge of the marked paper onto the graph paper. Connect the points with a line on the graph paper. This will be the x-axis of your topographic profile.

10. Make a small hash mark on the x-axis of your graph paper for each mark on the edge of your notebook (or computer) paper.

11. Draw and label a y-axis for your topographic profile that spans the range of elevations that line A-B crosses in Figure 10. Remember to use a consistent scale on your y-axis.

12. Above each hash mark on the x-axis of your graph paper, plot the corresponding elevation given on the y-axis of your graph paper.

13. Connect the points along your topographic profile with a smooth, curved line. This will more closely reflect the way the landscape appears in nature.

14. Take a picture of your topographic profile and submit it to your instructor. (You instructor should have procedures in place for how to submit your picture.)

15. Answer the questions on the Exercise 2 Data Sheet.

16. A portion of a topographic map with a line running across the middle marked A on one end and B on the other.

17. Figure 10: The map you will use to construct your topographic profile. The elevation of the contour lines is in feet.

EXERCISE 2 DATA SHEET

1. What is the contour interval of the Figure 10 map?

2. Does your topographic profile show any peaks or valleys? If so, what are the corresponding highest and lowest elevations?

Attachment:- Assignment.rar