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Topographic Maps Topographic Maps

Topographic Maps - PowerPoint Presentation

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Topographic Maps - PPT Presentation

and Compasses Navigation Tools Maps Road maps GPS Global positioning system Altimeter altitude Sextant astronomy Watch Topographic Maps Compass Topographic Maps Whats the difference between a topographic map and a regular map ID: 243751

map maps compass topographic maps map topographic compass lines compasses contour north bearing red needle direction scale dial rotating read elevation point

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Slide1

Topographic Maps and CompassesSlide2

Navigation ToolsMapsRoad mapsGPS (Global positioning system)Altimeter (altitude)

Sextant (astronomy) WatchTopographic Maps

CompassSlide3

Topographic MapsWhat's the difference between a topographic map and a regular map? Topographic maps allow you to see a three-dimensional landscape on a two-dimensional surface.

The contour and elevation information distinguishes them from other maps.Slide4

Topographic MapsThese maps show the land's contours, elevations, mountains, valleys, bodies of water, vegetation and more. Slide5

Topographic MapsMaps should always have a legend!Blue = Water (lakes, rivers, swamps, glaciers)

Brown = Contour Lines

Red

= Roads, major transportation areas, urban areas

Green

= Vegetation/ forested areas

Orange

= Unpaved roads & Unclassified Roads

Black = Man made structures (building, railroads, power stations, etc)Slide6

Topographic MapsContour lines

Contour lines are lines drawn on a map connecting points of equal elevation; meaning if you physically followed a contour line, elevation would remain constant.

Contour lines show elevation and the shape of the terrain. They're useful because they illustrate the shape of the land surface -- its topography-- on the map.

In order to keep things simple, topographic maps show lines for certain elevations only. These lines are evenly spaced apart. We call this spacing the

contour interval

.

For example, if your map uses a 10-foot contour interval, you will see contour lines for every 10 feet of elevation -- lines at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and so on. Slide7

Topographic MapsDifferent maps use different intervals, depending on the topography. If, for example, the general terrain is quite elevated, the map might run at 80- to even 100-foot intervals. This makes it easier to read the map -- too many contour lines would be difficult to work with.

To make topographic maps easier to read, every fifth contour line is an index contour.

Because it's impractical to mark the elevation of every contour line on the map, the

index contour lines

are the only ones labeled. Slide8

Topographic MapsTo determine elevations, pay attention to the amount of space in between lines. If the contours are close together, you're looking at a steep slope. If the contours have wide spaces in between -- or aren't there at all -- the terrain is relatively flat.

Example of somewhere with steep lines?

Example of somewhere with relatively flat lines?

Grand Canyon or Kicking Horse

Saskatchewan!Slide9

Topographic MapsSlide10

Topographic MapsSlide11

Topographic MapsPut on your thinking caps and complete Activity #1 (Matching!)Slide12

Topographic MapsScaleObviously, maps aren't life-sized. Otherwise we'd never be able to fit them in our backpacks! Instead, cartographers plot maps on a ratio scale, where one measurement on the map equals another larger amount in the real world.

Another way of saying this is that scale refers to the relationship between the distance on the map and the distance on the ground.Slide13

Topographic MapsThe first number of the scale is always one. It's your unit of measurement, usually an inch. The second number is the ground distance

. For example, if your U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map has a scale of 1:24,000, it means that one inch on the map is equal to 24,000 inches (2000 feet or 609.6 meters) in the real world. Slide14

Topographic MapsThe scale corresponds to its intended use. 1:250,000 – These maps cover a large area such as a country or province. 1:62,500 – The maps cover a moderately sized area like a provincial park.

1:24,000 – These maps cover a small sized area such as surveying a highway for repairs.

1 unit – the measurement depends on the map.Slide15

Topographic Maps

Your map's scale legend will always be at the bottom of the map Slide16

Topographic Maps Hiking With a Topographic MapTopographic maps are a valuable tool for hikers and campers. Planning a trip with a topographic map will greatly

decrease your chances of any unpleasant surprises.

Your map can tell you a lot -- details about an

area's elevation

, the

best way to ascend a peak

or how to

orient yourself using landmarks

.

It's always best (and

safer

) to plan your hike in advance. Once you've selected the area in which you and your friends will be walking, get yourself a topographic map.

Trails appear on a topographic map as

thin black lines

. Roads will be thicker red or black lines. Slide17

Topographic MapsAs you choose your route from Point A to Point B, keep a close eye on your map's contour lines.

If the lines are far apart, any changes in elevation will be gradual.If they're

close together

, though, you'll have a steep hike ahead of you.

You'll see the

highest point or peak

of your climb as a circle in the

center

of the lines -- sort of like the rings on a tree.Slide18

Topographic MapsOnce you've chosen the best route, take a look at the scale to find out the exact distance you'll be hiking. This way you'll know the

amount of supplies you'll need in your backpack. Keep in mind you likely won't be hiking in a straight line, though. Experts advise using a string to mark your route on the map -- including all the twists and turns -- and then translating your string distance to the map's scale.

Your map will also show you where to

locate water

as well as how to stay within the timberline in case you end up needing shelter. Don't forget to

note the symbols

on the map to ensure you're not hiking into any private property or dangerous areas such as mine shafts or caves.Slide19

Topographic MapsSlide20

Upper Kananaskis Lake, ABSlide21

<<<Upper

Kananaskis

Lake

Lower

Kananaskis

Lake>>>Slide22

<<<Ready for our hike!

View of the Lake>>>Slide23

^^^Views of the the lake >>>Slide24

^^^ Fishing >>>Slide25

<<<Giant Spider!

View of the Trail>>>Slide26

Topographic MapsSlide27

Topographic MapsSlide28

Topographic MapsThe orientation of topographic maps is always north! In other words north is always pointing up on the map. Topo

maps are specifically designed to be used easily with a compass.Slide29

Topographic MapsTopo maps also have a grid. This grid separates the map into small square sections. This makes it a lot easier to read a map, use a compass, and discuss your location with other people. It is a lot easier to say “I am in grid A5” that it is to say “I am at N40’0.1” by W103’45.6”.”

This grid is made by drawing lines that run

north-south

and lines

that run

east-west

. Slide30

Topographic MapsGrids have two kinds of referencing systems:GeographicMost commonly used.

Shown in degrees, minutes, and seconds. This is the Latitude (N & S) and Longitude (E & W)

Example

= “I am at N40’0.1” by W103’45.6”

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)

Mostly used by the military, in research, and for surveying.

These are the

Easting and Northing

numbers that are found on the map. You find the number and then estimate to the nearest tenth for the last number.

Always read Easting # First!

Example

= 916944 (91.6 and 94.4)Slide31

Topographic MapsImportant Map Information!When looking at a topo map you should check the following:

Map name and codeScale (1:50,000)Contour Intervals

Date of Publication!!!

Declination (we will cover this next day!)

Military Grid References (MGR)Slide32

Topographical MapsPut on your thinking caps and complete Activity #2 (Choosing a path!)Slide33

Video Break!Sun + Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUzqlA-O2mk

Magnetized Needle Compass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HqW5m9yzgM&feature=relatedSlide34

CompassesAn orienteering compass is specifically made for wilderness travel. Here are the major features of the compasses we are using:Slide35

CompassesThe Main parts to a compass are:The base plate (flat part)

The bezel ring/ rotating dial The Magnetic Needle (Needle that moves)

The Orienting Arrow

These parts seem to have different names depending on who is talking about them, but they all are referring to the same parts of a compass Slide36

Compasses“Red to North Red” Arrow/Orienting Arrow

– this arrow moves with the rotating

dial to align with the

compass needle.

Compass Needle

– this needle points in the direction of the magnetic field. The red end points to magnetic north.

Read Bearing

– after aligning the compass needle within the “red to north red” arrow, the bearing is read here.

Rotating Dial/Bezel Ring

– rotating this dial allows you to align the red-to-north-red arrow with the compass needle. This dial has the direction on it.

Orienteering Lines

– these lines are used with topographical maps. Topographical maps have

grids

on them that allow you to align the map and the compass.Slide37

CompassesThe compass needle always points towards the earths magnetic north pole. We call this “Magnetic North” – this is different from True North. I will discuss the difference between Magnetic North and True North next day!Slide38

CompassesThe most basic skill in using a compass is taking a bearing. This tells you what direction (or bearing) you are facing, or it can tell you the direction of a landmark, like a mountain or tree.This skill is essential to anything one might do with a compass. Slide39

CompassesTaking a Bearing Using a Compass:Face some object, like a mountain or tree (about 20-30ft away) that you wish to know its direction.

Put your compass against your stomach or belt so that it is perpendicular to your body and is facing straight ahead of you.

Rotate the rotating dial until the end of the compass needle lies between the “red to red north arrow” ---

Think:

RED

IN THE SHED

---

Read the bearing from the compass (It says “Read Bearing Here”). Looking at the compass, this should be the number on the dial that is facing the front of the compass. Slide40

Video Break!How to use a compass video example:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNrs-tyWhR4&feature=relatedSlide41

CompassesPut on your thinking caps and complete Activity #3 (Taking a Bearing!)Slide42

Activity Outside!?Football?Frisbee?Soccer????

Picture of Nose Hill Park, ABSlide43

Topographic Maps and Compasses (Day 2!)Slide44

Review from last day….What is the difference between a regular map and a topographical map?What information can you tell from the contour lines on a map?

What does the scale refer to? For example 1:250,000.Slide45

Why would you look at a topographic map prior to going on a hike?What are some of the features of a compass?Why would you take a bearing?

Review from last day….Slide46

CompassesWhen you are hiking and you need to get back to your campsite. Right?! If you knew your camp was west 270 degrees. How would you know how to walk in that direction?

-->You would “Shoot a Bearing” 270 degrees west!Slide47

CompassesFollowing a Bearing Using a Compass:Rotate the rotating dial until the red end of the compass needle lies between the “red to red north arrow”.

Walk in the direction that you need to go. If you need to go west back to camp, look at the compass to see what direction west is. Then just walk in that direction.

It is often easy to start veering off from the direction you want to head. An easy solution to this is to place the compass on your stomach or belt so that you can always look down and make sure you are heading in the right direction.Slide48

CompassesPut on your thinking caps and complete Activity #4 (Following a Bearing!)Slide49

CompassesMeasuring a Bearing on a Map using a CompassIf you are planning a trip using a topo

map, you can use your compass to find the bearing that you need to followFirst draw a line on the map from the starting point to the next point.Slide50

CompassesPlace the compass on the topographic map with the centre of the compass (or the side) on your starting point - and with the N (Red to North Red Arrow) on the rotating dial pointing up, parallel to the vertical lines on the map.

The bearing you need to follow is shown on

the rotating dial at

the point where it

meets the line that

you drew.

This is wear you read the

bearing of the lineSlide51

CompassesNote:When we use the compass to measure bearings on the map we are only really using the rotating dial. In the example from the previous slide the compass needle is not lined up with north.

You can ignore this, or if it makes things easier, you can reorient the map so that the top of the map really is in the north direction. Slide52

Declination Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxxBgyksWko&feature=relmfuSlide53

Combining Topographic Maps + Compasses