Student Exploration Reading Topographic Maps

Reading topographic maps directions.

Student exploration reading topographic maps. Fill in the landscape with water to demonstrate that contours are lines of constant elevation. The reading topographic maps gizmo allows you to see how a three dimensional landscape can be represented by a two dimensional map. The controls at the top of the gizmo allow you to manipulate the landscape on the left and the map on the right. Follow the instructions to go through the simulation.

Fill in the landscape with water to demonstrate that contours are lines of constant elevation. See how mountains depressions valleys and cliffs are represented on topographic maps. Description understand how topographic maps work by creating a three dimensional landscape and observing the corresponding contour lines. Each contour line connects points that are at the same elevation.

Contour interval contour line depression contour elevation gradient index contour relief topographic map prior knowledge questions do these before using the gizmo a house sits on the side of a small hill near a lake. The reading topographic maps gizmo allows you to see how a three dimensional landscape can be represented by a two dimensional map. Reading topographic maps vocabulary. Reading topographic maps understand how topographic maps work by creating a three dimensional landscape and observing the corresponding contour lines.

Contour interval contour line depression contour elevation gradient index contour relief topographic map prior knowledge questions do these before using the gizmo. Tool selected click and drag to turn the map or landscape.