Wilfrid Laurier University, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

GG101 - INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

 

LAB 1: INTRODUCTION TO TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS  

 

Go to MyLS and open the folder that has all the files from Lab 1.  Download all of those files into a folder on your desktop.  The lab demonstrator will guide you through the questions below.  

 

Part 1

 

This section refers to the attached map on the last page of this assignment file (Figure 1).  When you print out this map (Figure 1) be certain to print it at the size shown (do not 'fit to page', shrink or enlarge the map).

 

1. Figure 1 shows spot elevation in metres.  Draw in contour lines using a contour interval of 10 m (i.e., 110 m, 120 m, 130 m, ... contour lines).  Start this process by examining the range of elevations that are present on Figure 1.  Refer to the instructions in the background reading document.  It is often easier to begin drawing contours at the higher and the lower elevations.  The contours should be drawn in pencil to allow for alterations.  The final product should show clear, smooth lines.  The contours must be labeled with the appropriate elevation in metres.  The scale of Figure 1 is 1:10,000.  Recall that where contours cross a river they point upstream (to higher elevations) in a v-shape.  When contours are correctly placed, all the spot elevations on one side of the contour line will be higher elevations and on the other side of the contour line all the spot elevations will be lower elevation that that contour line.  The contour line will run through the spot elevations that are exactly the same elevation as the contour line.  Scan your completed map for

submission as a pdf file.          (4 marks)

 

2. Using the placement of your contour lines in Figure 1, estimate the elevation of points A and B.

            (1 mark)

1. 1. = _________

 

1. 2. = _________

 

 

Part 2

 

Open the file 041A10 Owen Sound Map Sheet.pdf in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.  This file shows the full 1:50,000 scale map sheet from Owen Sound (NTS map sheet 41A/10).  Open the file 041A10_Map Sheet.kmz in Google Earth Pro.  The questions in this section will require you to examine information that is on this map sheet in both Adobe Reader and Google Earth.  Your answers should be in full sentences.

 

3. Express the scale of this map as a: 
   1. ratio
   2. representative fraction
   3. written statement in the form of 1 cm = ______ m.                                                          (1.5 marks)

 

 

4. Determine the following characteristics for the map sheet: 
   1. the Edition number 
   2. the year of publication
   3. how current is the information on the map sheet                                                  (1.5 marks)

 

5. Elevation information on the map sheet is presented using contours and spot elevation markers.  The elevations are given in metres above sea level.  The contour information from the map is also available as a Google Earth file.  That file has the contours as well as a hillshaded image (shaded relief).  Determine the lowest elevation on the map and the highest elevation on the map.  The colour contours and the hillshaded image in Google Earth will help you focus your search on the

topographic map.                                                                                                                                (2 marks)

 

6. What is the northernmost and southernmost latitudes on this map sheet?  Answer in degrees and

minutes with the direction designations (N, S, E, or W).       (1 mark)

 

7. What is the westernmost and easternmost longitudes on this map sheet? Answer in degrees and

minutes with the directional designations (e.g., N, S, E, or W).        (1 mark)

 

Part 3

 

 

In this section, the northwest corner of the map sheet has been copied and reproduced below (Figure 2). 

The map margin is visible as are the latitude and longitude symbols (black and white bars) and values (in degrees and minutes).  The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) values are shown in the blue text.  The blue grid that is superimposed on the map sheet is the UTM grid.  Each blue line is separated by a distance of 1 km.  Review the section on the UTM coordinates in the background reading document and Map Basics.  Questions 8 to 10 refer to the image that follows.  Please note that the following map is not presented at a 1:50,000 scale.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2.  A portion of the Owen Sound map sheet showing the northwest part of the map sheet.  Scale is unknown.

 

8. Locate the main road intersection in the community of Kemble (Kemble is in the lower right area of the map).   Approximately two km north of Kemble there is a second intersection.  For each of the

two intersections determine the six digit UTM coordinate.               (2 marks)

 

Intersection 1 (Kemble): ______________________

 

Intersection 2 (North of Kemble): _______________________

 

9. The ground distance (the actual distance on the ground) between the two intersections is 2,065 m.  On the map above (Figure 2), use the measure tool to determine the map distance between the two intersections.  Using the ground distance and the map distance, calculate the scale of the above map and present the scale as a ratio.  Show all your work.       (3 marks)

 

10. Use the perimeter measurement tool to determine the map distance between the intersection at Kemble and the western map margin (edge) along the main road that runs west from Kemble.  Then use the map scale determined in Question 9 to convert that map distance to a ground distance in

metres.  Show all your work. (2 marks) Part 4

 

Open the file called Meaford.pdf.  This is a portion of the full Owen Sound map sheet.  In this case, we are using a georeferenced pdf file (geopdf).  This file was created using a Geographic Information System (GIS).  The map is presented at a 1:50,000 scale.  A geopdf file has the advantage of giving latitude and longitude coordinates as well as ground distances when the measurement tool is used.  For this section also refer NTS Legend.pdf file on MyLS.

 

11. In the upper left of the map (Meaford.pdf), there are two large open yellow circles.  The UTM coordinates of the two circles are approximately 252402 and 290402.  For each of these two locations, determine the ground elevation and the latitude and longitude coordinates.  Measure the ground distance between the two points.  Calculate the gradient between the two points.  Present the elevation gradient answer as: (i) % slope, and (ii) in the units of m/km (change in elevation in

metres divided by ground distance in kilometres).  Show all your work.      (4 marks)

 

12. Go to the UTM coordinate 289384.  
    1. Determine the latitude and longitude of that site.  
    2. That location is centred on a feature on the landscape, what type of feature is it?  
    3. Using the Measurement Tool select the Area measurement type and digitize a boundary of the feature to determine its area on the ground.  Express your answer in hectares (ha).              (3 marks)

 

13. Go to the following sets of UTM coordinates.  At each location there is a symbol, identify the

feature at each site.           (4 marks)         a) 328328 _________________

1. 2. 265358 _________________
   3. 309397 _________________
   4. 337329 _________________