Lesson 2.3: Topographic Maps
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C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Lesson 2.3: Topographic Maps
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Lesson 2.3: Topographic
Maps
Key Concepts
• Nature of topographic maps, contour lines, and contour intervals
• Interpreting topographic maps
• Information from topographic maps
Lesson Objectives
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•
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Describe a topographic map.
Explain what information a topographic map contains.
Explain how to read and interpret a topographic map.
Explain how various Earth scientists use topographic maps to study Earth.
Lesson Vocabulary
• contour interval: Constant difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines on a topographic map.
• contour line: Line connecting points with the same elevation on a topographic map.
• topographic map: Map that shows elevations above sea level of features on Earth’s surface.
Teaching Strategies
Introducing the Lesson
Show the class a photo or sketch of an area with rugged terrain. Ask students how they could show the topography
of the area on a map. Try to elicit a range of responses. Tell students they will learn how when they read this lesson.
Activity
In this hands-on activity, students will design and create a landform and then make a topographic map to represent
it. The activity will help students understand what a topographic map shows and how to read topographic maps.
http://www.most.org/Earth_Science/Middle_School/Post/Topographic_Maps.pdf
Building Science Skills
Build students’ topographic map reading skills by assigning the worksheet at the URL below.
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http://s3.amazonaws.com/engrade-myfiles/4076994673549621/Topographicmap_1_ws.pdf
Differentiated Instruction
Help students focus their reading on the most important points by providing them with the following cloze prompts
to complete as they read the lesson. Tell them that most of the blanks require more than one word to complete.
Sample answers are given below in brackets.
1. A topographic map represents [elevations in an area].
2. Contour lines on a topographic map connect [all the points that have the same elevation].
3. The contour interval on a topographic map is the [constant difference in elevation between adjacent contour
lines].
4. Closely spaced contour lines represent an area that has [a steep slope].
5. Widely spaced contour lines represent an area that has [a gentle slope].
6. Contour lines that form closed concentric loops represent [a hill].
7. V-shaped portions of contour lines represent [stream valleys].
8. The scale of a topographic map represents [horizontal distance].
Enrichment
Ask one or more students to investigate how topographic maps are made. They can start with the URL below. Have
them make a PowerPoint presentation to share what they learn with the class. Knowing how topographic maps are
made will help students use the maps more effectively.
http://www.maps-gps-info.com/how-topo-maps-are-made-1.html
Science Inquiry
In the guided inquiry activity in the PDF document below, students will use USGS topographic maps to analyze
the impact of sea level rise on a coastal community. The activity will improve their ability to use and interpret
topographic maps and convert between metric and English measurements. They will apply their knowledge of
USGS topographic maps to a larger-scale topographic map of a coastal town and accurately map new coastlines
based on predicted changes in sea level. Finally, students will make assessments and recommendations for residents
and town departments based on the new coastlines.
http://www.armadaproject.org/img/sea_level_rise-teacher.pdf
Common Misconceptions
Many students think that rivers always flow south. This misconception can be illustrated as such by the activity at
the link below. You will need to supply outline maps of the USA and the world for the activity.
http://newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/files/user-submitted/Downstream_2005%28TMcG%29.pdf
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Chapter 1. Lesson 2.3: Topographic Maps
Reinforce and Review
Lesson Worksheets
Copy and distribute the lesson worksheets in the CK-12 Earth Science for Middle School Workbook. Ask students
to complete the worksheets alone or in pairs to reinforce lesson content.
Lesson Review Questions
Have students answer the Review Questions listed at the end of the lesson in the FlexBook® student edition.
Lesson Quiz
Check students’ mastery of the lesson with Lesson 2.3 Quiz in CK-12 Earth Science for Middle School Quizzes and
Tests.
Points to Consider
Imagine that you are a civil engineer. How could you use a topographic map to build a road, bridge, or tunnel
through an area like the one shown in the figure above? Would you want your road to go up and down, or remain as
flat as possible? What areas would need a bridge in order to cross them easily? Can you find a place where a tunnel
would be helpful?
If you wanted to participate in orienteering, would it be better to have a topographic map or a regular road map?
How would a topographic map help you?
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