MAKING A TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
INTRODUCTION: A field is a well defined region of space with measurable characteristics at
every point. A field map tells you the value of the field at every point within the area. For example,
a map of an elevation field can tell you the elevation of every point in the mapped area. A temperature
field map can tell you the temperature at every point within the mapped area.
Maps of elevation fields, commonly called contour or topographic maps, are used by many
different people. Hikers and campers often use topographic maps to locate the best place for a hike
or a campsite. Architects often use topographic maps of a building site to find the best location for
the building and to make calculations for the amount of digging and landscaping that will be
necessary. One of the people that make topographic maps is a surveyor. When making a
topographic map, the surveyor will go out to the region to be mapped and measure the elevation at
many different points. The elevation of these points will be recorded on a map of the area. The
surveyor will then draw in the contour lines to show the elevation field. In this activity, you will
measure the elevation of many points on a model. You will then draw in the contour lines to make a
topographic map of your landscape.
PURPOSE: To make a topographic map of a model landscape.
MATERIALS: Plastic shoe box with special cover
Landscape Model (damp sand may be used)
Wooden stick
Data paper & Grid paper
Metric ruler
PROCEDURE:
1. Obtain a plastic box with a cover and a wooden stick from your teacher. Keep the cover on
your box and record the number of your box on to the appropriate spaces on your lab sheets.
2. You and your lab partner will use the sticks to measure the elevation of the points on your
landscape. Place the stick in one of the holes. BE CAREFUL !!! Make sure the stick remains
vertical ( at a 90 degree angle to the box). The stick should go straight down and just touch the
top of the landform surface. Remember the landform surface maybe uneven and your stick may
have a tendency to tilt. See Figure.
3. You may mark the stick with a pencil where it touches the surface of the box. You may also
choose to grab the stick from the top of the box marking the elevation measurement with your
fingers (be careful using this second method although it may be quicker, it may yield less accurate
results).
4. Remove the stick from the box making sure you still have your elevation measurement
marked on the stick. Measure the height of your elevation measurement to the nearest tenth of a
5. Record your measurement in the appropriate space ("Field Measurement") on your data sheet.
**You should set up your data sheet in some sort of order A-1 to A-13 then B-1 to B-13 and so
on.
6. Measure and record the elevation through each of the holes in your plastic top.
7. Calculate the "Elevation/Height bove Sea Level" by subtracting your Field Measurement for a
location from the theoretical Sea Level Measurement of 10 cm. Make your calculations to the
nearest tenth of a cm.
8. Neatly write these elevations next to their corresponding points on the ELEVATION FIELD
DIAGRAM.
9. Label your map compass with the appropriate directions N, S, E, W. See your box for these
directions,
10. After recording all of the elevations on your Field Diagram, draw in the contour lines to
complete the topographic map of your landscape. After you have completed your map, compare
the real landscape to the map.