Since the reconnaissance team has returned with their samples, you need to determine where in the canyon they collected them and plot these locations on a map. The most commonly used map for this purpose is a topographic map, which shows the elevations above sea level, using lines, called contours or contour lines, that are easier to create than to describe, so let’s do it!
Click on the link below, which leads to an animation illustrating the interaction between rising water level and a U-shaped hill. We can use water level to help us visualize contour lines. The top of the water surface is a horizontal plane and every location in which the surface of the water contacts the hill is the same elevation. By drawing a line through all locations where the water surface touches the hill, we can create a contour line (a line that connects all points on the hill that are the same elevation or height above sea level).
In the movie, the water surface rises and falls. The black lines that appear as the water level rises are contour lines. Take note of how the contour lines are drawn because next, you will have to draw contour lines this on your own.
Notice that each contour line has been labeled with the elevation above sea level represented by that contour line.
Now, it's your turn to create your own topographic map by drawing contour lines. Follow the steps below.
1. Click on the following link:
Create your own topographic map
The link above leads to an animation that illustrates how the surface of water interacts with a hill. In the movie, the water surface rises. You can pause the movie and slide the progress indicator left or right to choose a specific water level.
1. Print out the topographic map worksheet provided here. You will draw your topographic map on this paper. The first contour line has already been drawn for you.
2. On the worksheet you just printed out, create your topographic map by drawing contour lines. Use the shape of the water surface as it contacts the hill as a guide for the shape of your contour lines. There will be 8 water levels, each of which represents a contour level. We've drawn the first two contours for you.
3. Label each of your contour lines. Label your first contour line as 1 (already done), your next line 2, etc. so that your outermost line is labeled 1 and your inner most contour line is labeled 8.
4. Before you complete Assessment 1B on Canvas, please complete Exercise 1C. In Exercise 1C, you choose a line along which to draw a topographic profile, mark that line on your topographic map, and then draw a profile along that line on a worksheet. Once you have finished creating your topographic map (Exercise 1B) and completed your topographic profile (Exercise 1C), then go to Canvas and complete Assessments 1B and 1C (uploading your map and profile, respectively). So for now, hold on to your topographic map and go complete Exercise 1C.