Topographic Maps & Elevation Contours

Generally, elevations are measured from the sea level.

Topographic maps show elevation information and many additional
details such as roads, villages, mosques, type of soil and vegetation
cover, etc.
ELEVATION CONTOURS
Elevations on a topographic map are shown as contours. A contour is a
line joining the points of equal value. An elevation contour is a line
connecting points which are at the same height above the sea level.

We can see how the entire area is represented by contours. Notice some
contours are numbered, 20, 100, 200, and 260. The numbers indicate
contour value,. The contour in between also have values but they are
not written. The spacing between any two adjacent contours is called the
contour interval (CI).. Sometimes elevations for individual points are
also shown such as the point ‘X’ on the left hill which is at a height of
275 metres. 1
simple rules:

1.Contours do not cross each other.

2.The peaks (tops) of isolated hills (like hill A) have closed contours
(circular, elliptical, or irregular closed shape).

3.Steep slopes (such as location B) on topographic maps are

represented by closely- spaced contours.

4.Gentle slopes (such as location C) are represented by widely-spaced

contours.

5.Evenly spaced contours show a uniform slope.

6.The streams on mountain slopes or wadis (such as D) show V-

shaped contour pattern and the open side of V shows towards
downstream.
TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILES

A topographic profile is a two dimensional curve showing the surface

relief (difference in elevations between any two points).
Topographic profiles are plotted usually on graph paper with
horizontal distance along the X-axis and elevations along the Y-axis.
To make the profile we assume suitable horizontal and vertical
scales, for example, 1 cm = 100 metres or 1 cm = 1 km.

When the horizontal and vertical scales are the same then the profile
is said to have true scale or no vertical exaggeration. The profile
looks like the actual (real) relief. Sometimes we make profiles with a
vertical scale larger than the horizontal scale, e.g.

Horizontal Scale : 1 cm = 1000 m

Vertical Scale : 1 cm = 100 m

In this case the profile will not look like the actual relief. It will
show vertical exaggeration (enlargement). Vertically exaggerated
profiles are useful in looking at small relief features. In the
example above the profile is said to have a vertical exaggeration of
“10 times” or “l0X”.

3
1.Select and mark the line of profile AB on the map.

2.Lay a strip of paper along the line of profile.

3.Mark the location of points A and B on the paper strip.

4.In between A and B mark each contour intersecting the strip. Write contour
values next to the mark on the strip.

5.On a graph paper draw X and Y axes. Choose a vertical scale for elevation.

6.Place the labelled paper strip along the X-axis (horizontal distance axis).
Mark the points A and B on X-axis. The horizontal distance scale will be
the same as the map scale.

7.For each contour mark on the on the strip plot a dot above it using the
vertical scale. This will give you a set of points between A and B.

8.Connect all the points with a smooth curve. The curve is the elevation
profile along AB.

4
1. What is the contour interval of this map?

2.What is the highest elevation? Lowest elevation?

3. Measure the distance, in CENTIMETERS, from point A

to point B.

4.Convert this distance into MILES, using the scale

provided: Answer:

5.Repeat the procedure for 3 and 4 for point C to point D.

CM Distance: Answer (MILES) :

350

300

250

200
150

100
50
0

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 300 250 200 150 150 2
350

300

250

200
150

100
50
0
 Map 1

NORTH

X
Contours in metres


F

B
G
C

D
E

 1 : 10,000
Y

SOUTH

9
 Contour interval = metres Horizontal Scale : 1 cm =
m Vertical Scale : 1 cm = metres
Write the values for the following contours:
A :
B: m
m C :
D:
m E: m
m
From the contour map read elevations for the following points:
F: mG: m The highest value contour is
The lowest value contour on Map 1 is m.
Is there a valley (wadi) in the area?  Yes  No
If yes, then how do the contours show the wadi?

Which way it is flowing (direction in which the water flows in the

wadi)?
 east to west west to east north to south south to north

Is there a mountain peak in the area?  Yes  No If yes,

then how do the contours show the peak?
 Part 2

Map 2 shows elevation contour map of the Acatenango-Fuego

volcanic complex in Guatemala. This topographic map shows
that the volcano has two peaks. The scale of the map is 1:
100,000. The line of profile AB is indicated on the map.

1.Draw a profile along AB with no vertical

exaggeration: Record the following:

Horizontal Scale : 1 cm = 100 m

Vertical Scale : 1 cm = 200 m

2.Draw a profile along AB with a vertical

exaggeration of 2X: Record the following:

Horizontal Scale : 1 cm = m Vertical

Scale : 1 cm = m

3.What is the elevation of the peak of

Acatenango stravolcano?
m

4.What is the elevation of the base of Fuego 11

stravolcano? m
 Map 2

B
A