Determine the area to be investigated. On a physical or digital map, establish the location of the area to be studied, noting the beginning and ending points. Acquire an elevation profile for this region. Consult a mapping tool such as Google Maps, MapQuest or Garmin for a topographical repr...
Contour interval:The change in elevation from one contour line to the next is always the same within the same map. Many maps have either a 40- or 80-foot contour interval: An 80-foot interval simply means that each contour line is 80 vertical feet away from the next closest line. You ...
Understanding map symbols At first glance, it can be overwhelming trying to work out what the various lines and symbols mean, as there is an awful lot of information to take in and you might wonder if you’ll ever learn how to read a map. However, take a breath, consult the legend (...
One of the advantages to using a topographical map is that it shows the three dimensional lay of the land. It does this by using contour lines. A contour line is a line that connects points of equal elevation. On the topo map they appear as the brown lines. ...
The contour interval is the amount of elevation change between each contour line. Contour intervals vary from map to map. Intervals set at 40-feet are common on 1:24,000 scale maps. But many maps, especially small scale maps, have 50-foot or 100-foot intervals. Index contours are the mo...
The background map is 2D, contains an area elevation marker, the second map is a seemingly 3D map containing a line marker. This 3D map is cut into pieces and placed on the base map. The cut 3D pieces are thrown into space and then placed in a place in the 2D map that corresponds...
A simple guide on how to read a topographic map and feel confident using it outside, with a 3d video demonstration.
Maps represent actual locations of areas, landforms, and water bodies. Learn how to read a map and find out the meaning and significance of...
To be able to use these types of maps out in the wilderness, you need to learn how to read a topographic map. When reading a topographic map, you need to visualize a 3-dimensional view of what the symbols and contour lines on the map are showing. ...
Elevation Mountains and hills, or elevations, can also be represented on maps. This is usually done with contour lines. Contour lines are lines drawn on a map that join points of equal heights, generally in reference to sea level. The interval between the contour lines can vary, depending on...