Understanding Topographic Maps and Contours
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ScribdTranslationsUnderstanding Topographic Maps and Contours
Translated by
ScribdTranslationsTOPOGRAPHIC MAP
I) GENERALITIES
1-Definition
Topographic maps are a flat representation of the
earth's surface allowing to perceive the relief, determine
heights and measure slopes.
2-Scale: noted E, it is the ratio of size between the measurement
on the map and the corresponding actual measurement on the ground;
these two measurements have the same unit
3-The representation of relief on a map
Orography is the representation of the Earth's relief. Several
elements describe the shapes of the terrain: the curves of
level and the rated points.
a / The contour lines
The relief of the terrain is drawn on the map by contour lines.
. Definition
The level curves or isopleths are imaginary lines.
placed on a map of geography, connecting all the points located at
the samealtitudeIt is also the line of intersection of a horizontal plane.
with the terrain relief.
. Principle of constructing contour lines
To understand the representation of relief by contour lines, it
just imagine a mountain shaped like terraces and fly over it by
the thought.
. Equidistance
Equidistance is the vertical distance separating two curves of
level: It is the difference in altitude or elevation between two curves
of simple levels.
It is always a multiple of 5 and never varies on a map.
thus the altitudes of all the contour lines on this map are
integer multiples of equidistance.
It can vary from one map to another depending on the scale and relief.
mapped.
Principle of calculating equidistance commonly noted as e =
. Types of contour lines
Three types of contour lines are distinguished on the map:
-the simple or 'traditional' curves drawn towards the end
continu.
-the master curves or guiding curves, also called curves
Main ones, which are drawn in thick continuous lines. A curve
mistress will generally be associated with an altitude indicated by
figures oriented according to the marked slope: this allows
to quickly calculate the elevation change
-The intermediate curves, drawn in dashed or in
dotted on the map and located at the half-equidistance. We
only represents them on the map when the slope is not
regular between two "traditional" contour lines or between
a guiding curve and a "traditional" curve.
. Characteristics of contour lines
The altitude is specified at certain points on the curves of
levels: the top of the numbers indicates the upper part of the slope, and
the bottom of the numbers the lower part of the slope.
Slope: The closer the contour lines are, the steeper the slope.
is steep; the farther apart they are, the gentler the slope.
Distinguish between the basins and the peaks
A summit is represented by concentric curves that
the central altitude is higher compared to the altitude
peripheral
A basin is represented by concentric curves that
the central altitude is lower compared to the peripheral altitude
The differentiation of peaks and troughs facilitates the understanding of
relief
Valley or recognized thalweg on a map by contour lines
forming chevrons with the points of V turning towards the altitude
superior
Streams flow in the thalwegs from upstream to downstream.
b / The mentioned points
The marked points occupy a large place in the figure of the ground. They
must respond to three imperatives:
Help with reading contour lines.
Define the parts not represented by the curves due to
equidistance (summit, hollow, change of slope).
Serve as a starting point for altimetric operations in the field
(example: setting an altimeter)
Interpolation of an altitude between the curves
The contour lines and the marked points allow for determining
the altitude of a point by approximation, the slope being locally
supposed to be uniform.
Determination of altitude of a point A
It is important first to determine the altitude of the curves that frame the
point A. The difference in altitude between point A and the contour lines
those that frame it is proportional to the distance that separates it from them
same curves
(a/b = c/d)
II) CREATION OF A TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Topographic maps can lead to cross-sections of the terrain,
in which the scale of altitudes is generally exaggerated. The
the notions recalled below will help the map reader analyze the
different forms of terrain or knowing if two places are visible between
them. How to draw a profile? Place the bottom edge of the sheet on the
chosen cutting line and report the intersection points with the curves
of level. Raise perpendiculars to the base of the profile at these points, and
report the corresponding heights taking into account the scale of the
altitudes. By joining the points thus determined, one obtains a section of
land in the chosen direction.
Note: the proposed method does not take into account the sphericity.
from the ground. The base of the profile is actually a semicircle. To correct the
profile, one must actually subtract from the altitudes reported on the section the
approximate value of the apparent level given by Na (in m) = D2/15 (D being the
distance in km between the starting point of the profile and the reported points on
the profile)
Solved exercises
EXERCISE 1
Here is the topographic map excerpt from document 2
What does the scale 1/10,000 mean?
b- Define equidistance and find its value
2° a- Give the value of the slope between M and N
b- Determine the width of the river.
c- Draw the topographic profile following the cross section AB.
3° Is there a trough or a peak at point 817? Justify.
4° On this topographic map:
a) How many types of contour lines can one encounter there?
b) How can we know the existence of a river and understand its direction
of its flow?
EXERCISE 2
This is an excerpt from a topographic map:
1)If the actual length AB is equal to 6.5 hm, what is
the scale of this topographic map extract?
2) Carry out the topographic profile along line AB. (N.B.: Use
graph paper
Cor exo 1
1° a- The scale 1/10,000 means 1 measurement on the map represents 10,000.
field measures
b- Equidistance is the vertical distance separating two curves of
successive levels
2° a-
b- Width of the river = 100m (1cm on the map)
c - Topographic profile
3° We have a peak at 817m because the altitude at the center of the curves of
concentric levels are higher compared to peripheral altitude.
4° - We encounter two types of contour lines on this map:
simple contour lines (thin continuous lines) and contour line
mistress (thick continuous trait)
The existence of a river is recognized by contour lines.
forming chevrons whose V-shaped peaks indicate the higher altitude
upstream or the upstream; the river flows from upstream to downstream
Heart exo 2
2)