Chapter 7. Topographic Maps
Exercises on Topographic Maps
Adapted by Joyce M. McBeth, Sean W. Lacey, & Tim C. Prokopiuk (2018) University of Saskatchewan from Deline B, Harris R, & Tefend K. (2015) “Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology”. First Edition. Chapter 3 “Topographic Maps” by Karen Tefend and Bradley Deline, CC BY-SA 4.0. View Source.
The purpose of this lab is to familiarize students with how to read and use topographic maps. This is a critical skill to prepare students to learn about more complex geologic maps. Note: the maps used in this lab are in colour and the colours have significance in terms of the symbols and patterns used on the maps – it is best to print this lab in colour and from a pdf version.
Name: _______________
Student number: ____________
Date and lab section time: _____________
TAs’ names: _______________ _______________
Please hand in this lab to your TAs at the end of the lab period.
Links to maps used in this lab
- British Columbia Topographic Map 092G095. https://pub.data.gov.bc.ca/datasets/177864/pdf/092G/092G095.pdf
- Saskatoon topographic map: https://openpress.usask.ca/app/uploads/sites/52/2018/08/SKtopomap_v2.pdf
7-E2 LAB EXERCISE – TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
This is a graded activity, please submit it to your TA at the end of the lab. Note: This lab is in colour. Therefore, if you print it out in black and white please refer back to the electronic copy to avoid confusion. For all of the following figures, assume north is at the top of the map, and south at the bottom.
Questions 1 to 9: basic topographic map skills
Overview section 7.3 provides background information on contour lines to prepare you for these exercises.
1. (5 pts) The following topographic map (Map 7-E3) is from a coastal area and features an interesting geological hazard in addition to the ocean. Using a contour interval of 40 m, label the elevation of every contour line on the map below. Note: elevation is metres above sea level; thus, sea level = ______ m
2. (5 pts) Figure 7-E4 shows five waypoints (A, B, C, D, and E) on a topographic map. Answer the following questions about these waypoints, based on your best guess estimate of the elevation of each waypoint. Note: there is technically more than one correct answer for some of these questions. Please use Occam’s razor as you answer the questions: use the simplest explanation rather than the most complicated explanation to answer the question.
a. Write your estimates for the elevation at each waypoint next to the waypoint.
b. Describe how you decided on an estimated elevation for points A and E.
c. Is the elevation of waypoint A > (greater than) or < (less than) waypoint E?
d. Is the elevation of waypoint D > or < waypoint C?
e. Is the elevation of waypoint A > or < waypoint B?
f. Is the elevation of waypoint C > or < waypoint B?
3. (10 pts) Imagine you are a geologist working for the Geological Survey of Canada. You are tasked with creating your own coastal topographic map, so you hike around a