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ACTIVITY NO. 8

Watch the video and create an outline of the basic concepts you need to know in
Topographic Map.

Horowitz, S. (2013, September 25). Introduction to Topographic Maps. Retrieved from:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPMYGDxCr0

Figure 1.1. Video of Introduction to Topographic Map

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INTRODUCTION TO TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

Figure 1.2. Topographic Map

Topographic Maps, also known as Contour Maps, basically show the elevation (height
above sea level) and the shape of the land by using isolines called contour lines.

Topographic Map Features

1. Contour Interval
The difference in elevation between consecutive contour lines (it’s either in the
key or you have to figure it out yourself).
2. Index Contour Lines
Heavy, dark contour lines that usually have the elevation written.
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Figure 1.3. Contour Interval

Figure 1.4. Contour Interval

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3. Compass Rose
It shows where North is. Normally, north signifies up but that is not always the
case. As you can see in the example below, north is facing the right side of the
map.

Figure 1.5. Compass Rose

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Rules how to Read a Topographic Map
1. The closer the lines are, the steeper the slope. Oppositely, the more spread
out the lines are, the gentler the slope.

Figure 1.6. Rule 1

2. Contour lines bend upstream and form a “V” when crossing a stream, river, or
creek. The tip of the “V” points towards the source of the water.
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Figure 1.7. Rule 2

3. Rings of consecutively smaller contour lines represent mountains or hills.

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Figure 1.8. Rule 3

4. Th
e
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highest possible elevation of a hill is just below the value of what the next
contour line would be. As an illustrative example below, the contour interval of
the map is 20. The top contour line is 400. Hence, the top of the hill has to be
higher than 400 but it should be lower to what the next line is. Simply put, it
should lie between 401 and 419 meters.
Figure 1.9. Rule 4
5. Areas where the land dips down are called depressions. They are shown
with small marks called hachures or hatch marks.
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Figure 1.10. Rule 5

6. At a depression, the first hachured line has the same elevation as the
previous contour line. The lowest possible elevation of a depression is just
above the value of what the next contour line would be.
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Figure 1.11. Rule 6