Name____________________                                      Period ________

Ms. Selvaggio                                                                  Date __________

Lab # 5 / 6

Making a Topographic Map

Procedure One:

1.  Place the dough on your desk and shape it to form an island mountain that is at least 5

    centimeters high with one side obviously steeper than the rest.  (Make sure that no part of

    your mountain hangs over a lower part.) 

2.  Make a stream valley from the top of your mountain all the way to the bottom that is about

     as wide and deep as a pencil.  Have your teacher check to make sure that your landform is

     acceptable before going on.

3.  Remove the landform from your desk and place it in the middle of a plain white piece of

     paper.  Stand the ruler beside your landform and make a mark on your dough for every

     centimeter in height. 

4.  With your pencil, trace the outside of your landform.  You have just made a contour line of

     your mountain.  Label this line 0 cm.

5.  Using the wire, slice evenly through your landform at the next

     mark up on your mountain.  Carefully, so as to not alter the shape, peel away the upper part

     of your landform.  Remove the lowest portion you just traced from the paper.  Replace the

     upper portion exactly where it was on the paper and trace the outline of the base of this

     piece.  Label the contour line as 1 cm.

6.  Continue step 5 until you reach the top of your mountain.  Rebuild your mountain next to your

     paper and compare your landform to the topographic map you just made.  Note the direction

     the contour lines point when they cross the stream valley.  Note how you can tell which side

     of your landform has the steepest slope.

7.  Place the play doh back in the container.  Answer the conclusion questions and

     attach your map to the lab.

Conclusion Questions:

1.  What do the contour lines on a topographic map represent?

2.  What is the contour interval of your map?

3.  What do widely spaced contour lines indicate about the shape of the land?

4.  What pattern do contour lines make as they cross a stream valley?

5.  Describe two ways that you can determine the direction of stream flow on a contour map.

        1.____________________________________________________________

        2.____________________________________________________________

6.  How are topographic maps useful for people in life?

Procedure Two:

     1.    Draw a contour map in the box below of an island using an interval of 50 feet. 

     2.   Label the highest point of this island as 287 ft.  (Remember: the highest point is not necessarily the   highest contour line!)

     3.   Show this mountain having a steeper slope on the south side. (watch your compass directions)

     4.   Show a river flowing in a northwest direction. (check your notes on how rivers flow)

     5.    Name your island.

NOTE:

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