Using Topographic Maps

Name                          : Marta Asri Dewi

Student Number          : 12315244009

Class/Semester           : International Science Education/3

Course                         : Practical of Earth Science

Lecturer                      : Dr. Yosaphat Sumardi, M.Pd., M.Si.

Using Topographic Maps

            Topographic maps represent the locations by using a special type of line, called a contour line, to show elevation change on the earth surface. Below is an example of topographic map.

            The topographic map beside shows a hill, called Outlook Hill, and its surroundings such as Randy’s River, Little Brook, Atwater Pond, Mad Brook, and Clear Brook. According to the map, the highest elevation is 635 meters which is the top of Outlook Hill. Meanwhile the lowest elevation is 43 meters. Besides, benchmarks are also drawn on the topographic map as cross marks. Benchmarks show places whose elevations have been carefully measured. There are 3 benchmarks shown on the map. The elevations marked are 43 meters; 245 meters; and 635 meters. The elevation of 43 meters is located on the north of four buildings that are in neighborhood. Then, the elevation of 245 meters is positioned near Atwater Pond and Little brook. While, the elevation of 635 meters is on the top of Outlook Hill.

            By observing the topographic map beside, the interval of one contour line to the next can be known by subtracting them . For example by subtracting the highest contour line with the next contour line,

600 meters – 500 meters = 100 meters.

Then, the contour line interval is 100 meters. The interval itself is the change in value from one contour line to the next contour line.

            By looking at the map, we are going to see that there are some steep slopes, especially around the hill. They are placed on the north side, east side (Clear Brook area), and west side of Outlook Hill (Mad Brook area). While, the south side of Outlook Hill is the gently sloping side. It’s marked by the distance between each contour line. The longer distance between two contour lines, the more gently sloping the area marked is, and vice versa.

            If we do travel south on Route 1 like on the map, we will see the landscape and its changes as we go. Beginning from the north end of Route 1 on the map, we are on the low elevation area that is less than 100 meters above sea level. This is the very gently sloping area. Keep heading south on Route 1, we will see an area whose elevation has been carefully measured, it’s 43 meters above sea level. South of this place, there are four buildings and a river called Randy’s River. The water of this river flows from west to east towards the sea. In case we look at the west side along the trip, we’ll get the west side has higher elevation. This is why the water flows from west to east. The river water itself comes from two-way flow of river, one of them is the Little Brook located whose water flows to the north. It’s near the grassland at 245 meters height. Then, after crossing river, there are two buildings that are next to each other. The place where the buildings are located is a steep slope area. As we go south, there’s a flow of water comes from a brook called Clear Brook. The water source of this brook is fount of Outlook Hill. This side where Clear Brook located is included into steep slope area causing the Clear Brook water flows downhill to northeast.

            According to the map, the top of Outlook Hill has 635 meters height above sea level. The steepest side of this hill is located on the north side of the hill. It’s near with Clear Brook. Below is the side view of the hill as seen from Clear Brook.

The steepest side of Outlook Hill.

           

            In case we do travel around the pond by a boat, we will see that the water source of the pond comes from Mad Brook. It flows from the hill to the pond through Mad Brook. Mad Brook itself is located on about 500 to 300 meters height. In addition, Mad Brook is placed along west side of the hill. Then, there are four buildings lined on the west side of the pond. The water of the pond goes out through a stream called Little Brook that is located on the north of the pond. There’s also a grassland on the north of the pond. It’s located on about 245 meters height above sea level. By observing the map above, we’ll get that the number of the buildings provided on the map are ten buildings.