Geo Lab

Jaskaran (hz Ll W6 20266 Topographic Maps The Geographic Grid - Latitude & Longitude Observe the image below and answer the following questions: 1. Observing the cake, what do you notice about each of the three layers? Do they cross or mix, or are they parallel to one another? Is the cake symmetrical or is it asymmetrical, and why? > The layers in the Three-Tiered Cake are distinct from each other. Each layer is made separately and then stacked on top of one another. The layers are made of different flavors (e.g Berry, Vanilla and Chocolate). Each of the three layers in the cake appears to be parallel to one another. They do not cross or mix. This suggests that the cake is structured with distinct layers, each maintaining a consistent height. The cake is symmetrical. This is evident because the layers are evenly distributed, with the top layer being at the same height as the bottom layer, and any intermediate layers are identical in height. 2. Assuming that each layer of cake has a height of 6” and that the bottom of the cake is at 0”, how tall is this cake? What is the total relief of the cake? > To find the total height of the cake, Total Height = 6" (top layer) + 6" (middle layer) + 6" (bottom layer) = 18 inches So, the cake is 18 inches tall. The total relief of the cake is the difference in height between the top and bottom layers. In this case, it is: Total Relief = 6" (top layer) - 0" (bottom layer) = 6" 3. Now imagine that this cake was a hill. Which side of the hill has a steeper gradient, and why? (Hint: Observe the contour lines, or the perimeter of the circles). >> In a three-tiered cake imagined as a hill, the side of the hill with the steeper gradient would typically be the transition from one layer to the next. Specifically, the steepest gradient would be at the edges of each tier where the layers meet. Each layer has a uniform height, and the transition from one layer to the next occurs abruptly at the edges. This abrupt change in elevation over a short horizontal distance results in a steeper gradient. So, the steepest gradient in the cake-hill would be at the edges where the layers meet due to the abrupt change in elevation. As a result, the right side has a steeper gradient because the different sides on the left keep it from being as steep.

Topographic Maps A Three-Tiered Cake as an example of contour lines. The image to the left is from a bird's eye view, and the image on the right is viewing from above. Image by Jeremy Patrich has been designated to the public domain under a CCO 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication Section 2: Connect the Dots (Constructing Contour Lines) 4. Complete the following contour lines on the image below: 35, 30, 25 20; 15, and 10. Many of these values will be represented by multiple lines.

Topographic Maps Section 3: Topographic Profiles 1207, 100" T - il N o 60’ | L/ N a0 e o > Topographic Map with Profile Line activity. Image by Jeremy Patrich has been designated to the public domain under a CCO 1. iversal ji jcation Now that you have completed your topographic profile, below you will find a few more questions regarding your observations from the above map. 5. What is the highest elevation possible on this map? > The highest possible elevation is 100 ft. 6. What is the lowest possible elevation possible on this map? > The iower elevation is O ft. 7. Locate the letter A on the map, what is the elevation? > As elevation is at 90 ft. 8. Locate the letter B on the map, what is the elevation? > B's elevation is at 30 ft.

Topographic Maps Part 4: US Geological Survey Maps No questions in section 4 Part 5: Reading a Topographic Map Map 1(San Francisco Region) 9. Each topographic map, or quadrangle, is assigned a name. The name of the map is usually found in the upper- right corner in large print. What is the name of this map? > The name of this map is San Francisco North Quadrangle. 10. Locate the scale bar on the bottom of the map. Just above the scale bar is the RF scale. What is the fractional scale for this map? > The fractional scale for this map is 1:24 000 11. Beneath the scale bar, what is the contour interval of this map? > The contour interval of this map is 25 feet. 12. Most quadrangles have a small reference map, usually the shape of the state in which this map is found. There you can find a little box that represents the location of this specific map within the state. What is that general location? > San Francisco South 13. Near the bottom left corner, you will find some additional data, such as what projection was used for this map and when it was made. What projection was used for this map? > Planimetry derived from imagery taken 1993. Photoinspected using imagery taken 1995. PLSS and survey control current as of 1956. Projection and 1000 meter grid - Universal Transverse Mercator, zone 10, 10 00O foot-ticks - California coordinate system of 1927. 14. Often maps will tell you when it was originally surveyed, plane table checked or updated. What are some of those years? > 1956 and 1927

Topographic Maps The following questions reference latitude and longitude. Locate the latitudes for this map, remember that latitudes are the horizontal lines on the map. Provide the degrees, minutes, and seconds. 21. Northern latitude: 37°52’ 30” 22. Southern latitude: 37°45’ 23. Total minutes of latitude covered in this map, (this is the difference between the northern and southern latitude) - 7 minutes 15 seconds Locate the longitudes for this map, remember that longitudes are the vertical lines on the map. 24. Eastern longitude: 122°22'30" 25. Western longitude: 122°30" 26. Total minutes of longitude covered in this map, (this is the difference between the western and eastern longitude) - The difference is 8 minutes 30 seconds 27. What is the minute series of this map? - 7.5 minutes 28.What is the general shape of this map, and based on the minute series, it covers the same amount of minutes, so why is it not a perfect square? > The map is rectangular since it has a longitudinal expansion. Map 2 (Portion of Yosemite National Park) 29. What is the name of this map? Yosemite Quadrangle California 30.What is the fractional scale for this map? 1:62 500 31. What is the contour interval of this map? 80 feet

Topographic Maps 32. Often maps will tell you when it was originally surveyed, plane table checked or updated. What are some of those years? 1929,1955, 1956, 1958 What is the map name of the map that adjoins each of the following areas? 33. Eastern Edge: Mariposa CO 34. Northeastern Edge: Lake Eleanor The following questions reference the contour lines of the map. 35. After observing the map, briefly describe the overall topography of the map. What are some features or details you find interesting, and what helped you decide what the topography looks like? (Hint: Is the topography mountainous, or flat? Do you notice water features, etc? Don't forget to include what helped you interpret your findings). > This map was much easier to follow. It seems flatter to me. It is a lot greener, no water. 36. What is the highest elevation found on the map? > 36 37. What is the lowest elevation found on this map? > 2 38.What is the total relief of this map? > 34