Topographic Maps

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Sample Topographic Map
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2-D
3-D
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Why are Topographic Maps Useful?

• Building a home
• Landscaping
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Camping
• Planning a highway

Who uses Topographic Maps?

• Military
• Construction Workers
• Geologists
• Farmers
• Hikers
• Campers

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Gradient

• Another way to express slope is gradient.
• Gradient is the average slope of a particular
• area on a map.
• The formula for gradient is
• Change in field value
• Distance

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The formula for gradient can be found on page 1
of your ESRTs Field value is whatever the
isolines on the map are measuring. Distance is
the actual distance between 2 points given using
the map scale.
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Example
Gradient change in field value
Distance
B
Gradient 400 m 200 m
2 miles
A
Gradient 200 m
2 miles
Gradient meters mile

1 2 Miles
Elevation in meters
100
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Letters A, B, C, D, and E on the topographic map
shown below represent locations on Earth's
surface. Letters K, L, M, and N are locations
along Copper Creek. Elevations are measured in
meters.
Calculate the gradient between points B and C on
the topographic map shown and label your answer
with the correct units. Be sure to show all your
work, including proper units. Express your answer
to the nearest tenth.
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Calculate the gradient between points B and C on
the topographic map shown and label your answer
with the correct units. Be sure to show all your
work, including proper units. Express your answer
to the nearest tenth.
Change in field value Distance
Gradient
m km
50 m 10 m 2km
40 m 2km
m km
G
20
20.0


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