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Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology

Bradley Deline, Randa Harris, Karen Tefend

Chapter 3

Topographic Maps - all with Video Answers

Educators

Chapter Questions

02:56

Problem 1

For the following figures, assume North is up.
The following topographic map (Map 3.1) is from a coastal area and features an interesting geological hazard in addition to the Ocean. Using a contour interval of 40 meters, label the elevation of every contour line on the map below. (Note: elevation is meters above sea level, which makes sea level =______ $\mathrm{m}$ ).

Stephanie Gaston
Stephanie Gaston
Numerade Educator
03:32

Problem 2

For the following figures, assume North is up.
Imagine you are a geologist for the United States Geological Survey. You are tasked with creating your own coastal Topographic map, so you hike around the area with a GPS receiver (Global Positioning System) and every so often you record your position along with the elevation in meters at that point, which results in the following map (Map 3.2). Complete Map $3.2$ by adding in the contour lines using a contour interval of 100 meters. Draw the contour lines so that they are continuous (do not die off), and either continue off the map or form an enclosed circle (look at the topographic map in the problem 1 for an example). More often than not, your contour lines will fall between the GPS points on your map, so do your best to determine the contour line positions.

Suzanne W.
Suzanne W.
Numerade Educator
00:25

Problem 3

Refer to the Map $3.3 .$ The following topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.
What is the contour interval on Map 3.3?

Zach Steedman
Zach Steedman
Numerade Educator
00:25

Problem 4

Refer to the Map $3.3 .$ The following topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.
What is the regional relief on Map 3.3?

Zach Steedman
Zach Steedman
Numerade Educator
01:53

Problem 5

Refer to the Map $3.3 .$ The following topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.
Using the contour lines on Map $3.3$, which area along the red line is steeper $\mathrm{A}$ to $\mathrm{B}$ or $\mathrm{B}$ to $\mathrm{C}$ ? Explain how you came to this conclusion.

Lucas Finney
Lucas Finney
Numerade Educator
02:40

Problem 6

Refer to the Map $3.3 .$ The following topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.
What is the gradient from A to B and B to C on Map 3.3? Show your work.

Lucas Finney
Lucas Finney
Numerade Educator
16:19

Problem 7

Refer to the Map $3.3 .$ The following topographic map shows an interesting and informative geological feature called a drumlin, which is a pile of sediment left behind by a retreating glacier.
Drumlins can be used to determine the direction of movement in the glacier with the glacier moving toward the shallower side of the structure. Using your previous answers for Map $3.3$, what direction was the glacier traveling? Note: unless indicated otherwise, assume that North is up (towards the top of the map).

Vishal Gupta
Vishal Gupta
Numerade Educator
View

Problem 8

Construct a topographic profile from A to A’ on the graph paper below.

Nick Johnson
Nick Johnson
Numerade Educator
00:29

Problem 9

Based on the scale you choose for the topography (vertical axis) in question 8, calculate the amount of vertical exaggeration on the topographic profile you constructed above. Show your work.

Michelle Nguyen
Michelle Nguyen
Numerade Educator
01:47

Problem 10

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
What is the ratio scale of this map?

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
01:47

Problem 11

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
Explain in a sentence how this type of scale works.

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
00:53

Problem 12

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
What is the latitude on the north edge of the map?

K B
K B
Numerade Educator
01:47

Problem 13

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
What is the longitude on the east edge of the map?

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
02:08

Problem 14

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
Find Big Dry Creek, which is north of Rome. What direction does that river flow? Explain two reasons why you came to this conclusion.

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
02:56

Problem 15

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
Examine the large Ridge in the Northwestern portion of the map. What is the tallest point in this ridge? How tall is it?

Stephanie Gaston
Stephanie Gaston
Numerade Educator
01:47

Problem 16

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
How much higher is that point from Lake Conasauga?

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
01:47

Problem 17

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
What is the gradient between Lake Conasauga and the tallest point in the ridge? Show your work (Hint: zooming out will let you see both features on the map at the same time and may make it easier to measure).

Bobby Barnes
Bobby Barnes
University of North Texas
02:06

Problem 18

For this part of the lab you will need to use Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ (appearing at the end of this chapter). Following Maps $3.5$ and $3.6$ is a Map Key that you can use to identify the various symbols found on topographic maps.Also, note that the maps are in color and the colors have significance in terms of the symbols.
How would the gradient change if you measured from Swan Lake to the tallest point in the ridge rather than Lake Conasauga? Explain why.

Taylor Shimono
Taylor Shimono
Numerade Educator
01:16

Problem 19

Explain why this map is referred to as a 7.5 minute map?

John Mcalister
John Mcalister
Numerade Educator
01:24

Problem 20

What is the relief on this map?

Christina Sorrentino
Christina Sorrentino
Numerade Educator
02:26

Problem 21

Does Taggert Creek flow into Taggert Lake or Lake Taminah? What direction does the creek flow?

Gordon Ayadju
Gordon Ayadju
Numerade Educator
01:37

Problem 22

Garnet Canyon (a little to the west of the word Garnet) is a common camping location for hikers and mountain climbers at the Grand Teton's National Park. Examine the topography surrounding Garnet Canyon and the Middle Teton. What would be the easiest and safest route from Garnet Canyon to the top of the Middle Teton? Explain why. (Drawing a simple map will help).

Stephen Hobbs
Stephen Hobbs
Numerade Educator