Overview of Topographic Maps - Laboratory Manual for Earth Science - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Overview of Topographic Maps - Laboratory Manual for Earth Science
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Overview of Topographic Maps - Laboratory Manual for Earth Science
To solve this problem, we need to understand how a topographic map relates to a cross-section profile. The red line A-B on the map shows the path for which the profile below is drawn.
Step 1: Understand the Map Features
* Contour Lines: The brown lines on the map connect points of equal elevation.
* Contour Interval: The legend states the interval is 10 meters. This means each line represents a change in height of 10 m (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50).
* Peaks and Valleys:
* There is a high peak on the left side with a center contour labeled "50". This means the top of this hill is higher than 50 meters but lower than 60 meters (since the next line would be 60).
* There is a smaller peak on the right side with a center contour labeled "40". Its top is between 40 and 50 meters.
* Between these two peaks, the land dips down into a saddle or valley. The lowest contour line surrounding this dip is 30, so the bottom of the dip is between 30 and 40 meters.
Step 2: Trace the Path from A to B
Let's follow the red line from point A (left) to point B (right) and see what happens to the elevation:
1. Start at A: The line starts outside the 10m contour, so the elevation is low (between 0 and 10m).
2. Climb the First Hill: As we move right, we cross the 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 meter lines. We are going uphill.
3. Top of First Hill: We pass over the peak inside the 50m ring. The elevation here is roughly 55m.
4. Go Down into the Dip: After the first peak, we go downhill, crossing the 40 and 30 meter lines.
5. Bottom of the Dip: We reach the lowest point between the hills. Since we are inside the 30m loop but outside any lower loops, the elevation is roughly 35m.
6. Climb the Second Hill: We go back up, crossing the 40 meter line again.
7. Top of Second Hill: We pass over the second peak inside the 40m ring. The elevation here is roughly 45m.
8. Final Descent to B: From the second peak, we go all the way down to point B. We cross the 30, 20, and 10 meter lines. Point B is near the edge, below the 10m line.
Step 3: Match with the Profile Graph
Now look at the black curve in the bottom graph:
* It starts low on the left (A).
* It rises to a high peak (above the 50 line). This matches our first hill.
* It drops down into a valley (dipping below the 40 line but staying above the 30 line). This matches the saddle between the hills.
* It rises again to a second, lower peak (between the 40 and 50 lines). This matches our second hill.
* It drops down to the end (B), finishing below the 10 line.
Conclusion:
The graph accurately represents the terrain along the line A-B. The question likely asks to identify features or confirm the relationship. Based on the annotations provided in the image itself ("Hilltop: Profile goes slightly above...", "Valley: Profile goes slightly below..."), the task demonstrates that the cross-section profile correctly depicts the elevation changes shown on the topographic map.
Specifically:
* The highest point on the profile corresponds to the hill with the 50m contour.
* The dip in the middle corresponds to the area between the two hills.
* The second bump corresponds to the hill with the 40m contour.
Final Answer:
The profile graph correctly shows the elevation changes along the line A-B. It displays a rise to a peak over 50m, a drop to a valley between 30m and 40m, a second rise to a peak between 40m and 50m, and a final drop to below 10m.
Step 1: Understand the Map Features
* Contour Lines: The brown lines on the map connect points of equal elevation.
* Contour Interval: The legend states the interval is 10 meters. This means each line represents a change in height of 10 m (e.g., 10, 20, 30, 40, 50).
* Peaks and Valleys:
* There is a high peak on the left side with a center contour labeled "50". This means the top of this hill is higher than 50 meters but lower than 60 meters (since the next line would be 60).
* There is a smaller peak on the right side with a center contour labeled "40". Its top is between 40 and 50 meters.
* Between these two peaks, the land dips down into a saddle or valley. The lowest contour line surrounding this dip is 30, so the bottom of the dip is between 30 and 40 meters.
Step 2: Trace the Path from A to B
Let's follow the red line from point A (left) to point B (right) and see what happens to the elevation:
1. Start at A: The line starts outside the 10m contour, so the elevation is low (between 0 and 10m).
2. Climb the First Hill: As we move right, we cross the 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 meter lines. We are going uphill.
3. Top of First Hill: We pass over the peak inside the 50m ring. The elevation here is roughly 55m.
4. Go Down into the Dip: After the first peak, we go downhill, crossing the 40 and 30 meter lines.
5. Bottom of the Dip: We reach the lowest point between the hills. Since we are inside the 30m loop but outside any lower loops, the elevation is roughly 35m.
6. Climb the Second Hill: We go back up, crossing the 40 meter line again.
7. Top of Second Hill: We pass over the second peak inside the 40m ring. The elevation here is roughly 45m.
8. Final Descent to B: From the second peak, we go all the way down to point B. We cross the 30, 20, and 10 meter lines. Point B is near the edge, below the 10m line.
Step 3: Match with the Profile Graph
Now look at the black curve in the bottom graph:
* It starts low on the left (A).
* It rises to a high peak (above the 50 line). This matches our first hill.
* It drops down into a valley (dipping below the 40 line but staying above the 30 line). This matches the saddle between the hills.
* It rises again to a second, lower peak (between the 40 and 50 lines). This matches our second hill.
* It drops down to the end (B), finishing below the 10 line.
Conclusion:
The graph accurately represents the terrain along the line A-B. The question likely asks to identify features or confirm the relationship. Based on the annotations provided in the image itself ("Hilltop: Profile goes slightly above...", "Valley: Profile goes slightly below..."), the task demonstrates that the cross-section profile correctly depicts the elevation changes shown on the topographic map.
Specifically:
* The highest point on the profile corresponds to the hill with the 50m contour.
* The dip in the middle corresponds to the area between the two hills.
* The second bump corresponds to the hill with the 40m contour.
Final Answer:
The profile graph correctly shows the elevation changes along the line A-B. It displays a rise to a peak over 50m, a drop to a valley between 30m and 40m, a second rise to a peak between 40m and 50m, and a final drop to below 10m.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of topographic profile worksheet.
