Navigating Topographic Maps and Contour Lines

Miss Salman introduces topographic maps using the Grand Canyon as an example, explaining how contour lines represent elevation changes. She outlines four key rules for contour lines: they represent the same elevation, connect with themselves, never cross, and do not branch. The video also covers calculating contour intervals, emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts for interpreting topographic maps.

What natural process has significantly shaped the Grand Canyon?

• Glacial movement

• Volcanic activity

• Earthquakes

• Weathering and erosion by the Colorado River

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What is the primary purpose of a topographic map?

• To display weather patterns

• To indicate population density

• To represent changes in elevation

• To show political boundaries

What do closely spaced contour lines on a topographic map indicate?

• A valley

• A steep slope

• A river

• A flat area

Which of the following is NOT a rule of contour lines?

• Every point on a contour line has the same elevation

• Contour lines never cross each other

• Contour lines always connect with themselves

• Contour lines can split or branch off

What is a contour interval?

• The horizontal distance between two contour lines

• The elevation change between two contour lines

• The distance between two points on a map

• The total elevation of a mountain

How do you calculate the contour interval?

• By measuring the distance between two points

• By subtracting the elevations of two index contours and dividing by the number of lines between them

• By counting the number of contour lines on the map

• By adding the elevations of two index contours

If the elevation difference between two index contours is 200 feet and there are 10 contour lines between them, what is the contour interval?

• 10 feet

• 40 feet

• 30 feet

• 20 feet

In the practice example, if the index contours are labeled 100 and 200, and there are 10 lines between them, what is the contour interval?

• 5

• 10

• 20

• 15

What does it mean if contour lines are far apart on a topographic map?

• The slope is gradual

• There is a mountain

• The slope is steep

• There is a river

If the contour interval is 2 feet and the lines are close together, what can you infer about the terrain?

• It is flat

• It is steep

• It is a valley

• It is underwater