Topographic Maps Practice worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Analysis and Solution

The provided images are topographic maps with contour lines. Contour lines represent points of equal elevation, and the contour interval is the vertical distance (elevation difference) between two adjacent contour lines. Let's solve each part step by step.

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#### Top Map (First Image)

1. What is the contour interval? That is, what is it going by?
- The contour interval is the vertical distance between two adjacent contour lines.
- From the map, we can see that the labeled contour lines are 300 and 400. The difference between these two values is:
\[
400 - 300 = 100
\]
- Since there are multiple contour lines between 300 and 400, we need to count them. There are 4 lines between 300 and 400, which means the interval is:
\[
\frac{100}{4} = 25
\]
- Answer: The contour interval is 25 meters.

2. What is the elevation at Y, of the point Y?
- Point Y is located on the contour line labeled 300.
- Answer: The elevation at Y is 300 meters.

3. What is the elevation at B?
- Point B is located between the contour lines labeled 300 and 400. Since the contour interval is 25 meters, the contour lines between 300 and 400 are 325, 350, and 375.
- Point B is closer to the 300 contour line than to the 325 contour line.
- Answer: The elevation at B is 300 meters (since it is just above 300 but not reaching 325).

4. What is the elevation at C?
- Point C is located between the contour lines labeled 400 and 375. Since the contour interval is 25 meters, the contour lines between 375 and 400 are 375, 350, and 325.
- Point C is closer to the 400 contour line than to the 375 contour line.
- Answer: The elevation at C is 400 meters.

5. Label the mountain top MT
- The mountain top is the highest point on the map, which is the innermost closed contour line.
- Label the highest point as MT.

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#### Bottom Map (Second Image)

1. What is the contour interval?
- The contour interval is given directly in the image as 10 meters.
- Answer: The contour interval is 10 meters.

2. What is the elevation at A, of the point A?
- Point A is located on the contour line labeled 300.
- Answer: The elevation at A is 300 meters.

3. In what direction is Long Creek flowing?
- Long Creek flows from higher elevations to lower elevations. The creek is shown cutting through the contour lines, and the direction of flow is perpendicular to the contour lines, moving downhill.
- By observing the contour lines, the creek flows from the higher elevation (top of the map) to the lower elevation (bottom of the map).
- Answer: Long Creek is flowing southward.

4. Label the steepest region S.
- The steepest region is where the contour lines are closest together. This indicates a rapid change in elevation.
- In the image, the contour lines are closest together near the center of the map, specifically around the area labeled "Long Creek."
- Label this region as S.

5. Label each mountain top MT.
- Mountain tops are the highest points on the map, represented by the innermost closed contour lines.
- There are two mountain tops in the image: one on the left side and one on the right side.
- Label both of these points as MT.

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Final Answers

#### Top Map
1. Contour interval: 25 meters
2. Elevation at Y: 300 meters
3. Elevation at B: 300 meters
4. Elevation at C: 400 meters
5. Label the mountain top MT: Mark the innermost closed contour line as MT.

#### Bottom Map
1. Contour interval: 10 meters
2. Elevation at A: 300 meters
3. Direction of Long Creek: Southward
4. Label the steepest region S: Mark the area near "Long Creek" as S.
5. Label each mountain top MT: Mark the innermost closed contour lines on both sides as MT.

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Final Boxed Answers

- Top Map:
1. 25 meters
2. 300 meters
3. 300 meters
4. 400 meters
5. Label the mountain top as MT.

- Bottom Map:
1. 10 meters
2. 300 meters
3. Southward
4. Label the steepest region as S.
5. Label each mountain top as MT.