Earth Science

Chapter 1-2, 1-3 & 1-4

For last half of March and until the 3rd week in April
only due till a week and half of spring break

The Earth System

Earth System:
4 main parts 1. Atmosphere 2. Hydrosphere 3. Lithosphere 4. Biosphere

Atmosphere
The layer of gases that surround and form
an envelope around the Earth.
Consists of several gases
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
CO2, H2O, others 1%

Lithosphere
Earth's solid, rocky outer layer
The continents, islands and ocean floors

Hydrosphere
All of the water present on the planet
Oceans, lakes, streams, ice caps, snow,
glaciers, etc.

Biosphere
That area of the land, water and air that
contains life!

The Earths Surface

Topography:
The shape of
the land. The
topography of
an area
includes the
area's
elevation,
relief, and
landforms.

Elevation - Relief
Elevation -height above sea level
Relief - difference between the highest and the
lowest points of an area

Landforms
3 main types: plains, mountains & plateaus.

Plains: made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief

Mountains: made up of high elevation and high relief.
Plateaus: high elevation and a more or less level surface

Earths Grid Equator & Prime Meridian

Prime Meridian goes thru
Greenwich, England

Equator is half way

between the north &
south pole

Latitude & Longitude

Latitude: the distance north or south of the equator
Longitude: the distance east or west of the prime meridian
Both latitude &
longitude are
measured in
degrees

Latitude & Longitude

SWBAT:

Interpreting a Topographic
Map
Do Now:
When would knowing your
altitude be important?

** Important Vocabulary
**

Isoline -

Is a general term used to

describe lines that connect
points of equal value on a
map.

Types of Isolines -

Contour Lines
Lines

Isotherms Lines
connecting
equal
temperatures

Isobars - Lines
connecting
equal pressures

Index Contour Line

Heavy lines spaced at a
predetermined labeled elevations on
a topographic map.

Index Contour

Contour Interval
- The vertical distance that
separates EVERY contour line on
a topographic map.
What is the contour
interval of this
map?
Benchmark tells the
real elevation at that

Estimating Elevation
Label the contour lines based on the map interval
Find the contour line before and after the point you are
trying to determine
Youre answer should be a point in between those lines
Give a possible
elevation for
point a

10

.b

.c

20
30

.a
Contour Interval = 10 m

Give a possible
elevation for
point b

What is the highest possible elevation of

point c?
The highest possible point on a contour map
will always be one unit less than the next
possible contour line.
Give the HIGHEST
possible elevation
for
point c

10

.b

.c

20
30

.a
Contour Interval = 10 m

What about the LOWEST possible point?

The lowest possible point on a contour map
will always be one unit more than the lower
contour line.
Give the LOWEST
possible elevation
for
point c

10

.b

.c

20
30

.a
Contour Interval = 10 m

Where would it be easier to hike?

B.
A.

Why?
B has a gentle slope, or gradient.

Todays Objective: 3/26/15

How can a Topographic Profile be

Constructed?

Do Now:
There is a mistake
on this
topographic map.
Identify the
mistake and
explain why it is
wrong.

Gradient
Refers to the steepness of the land (slope)
Closer contour lines = steep slopes.

Which side
of the hill is
the steepest?
WHY?

Further contour lines = gradual slopes.

Contour lines will either

Run off the map
or

Close on themselves to create circles

Contour lines will NEVER cross.

If contour lines touch they represent a very

steep gradient, otherwise called a cliff.

Closed contours with hachure marks

represent depressions (holes).

Hachure
Contours

The contour line with the marks, or

hachures , has the same elevation as the
line before it.

Same Elevation
50 Meters

River and Streams

When a river or stream crosses a contour line,
the contour line bends and points upstream.
upstream

Upstream is where the

river starts, higher
elevation.

downstream

Downstream is where
the river ends, lower
elevation.

1. What is the contour

interval?

2. What compass direction

is Eagle Mt. located?
3. What is the elevation at
the edge of Wolf Pond?
4. What is the elevation of
Point B?
Point C?

Point E?

5. Place an X on the
map where the
steepest location
would be.

6. What direction is the

stream flowing?
Explain how your
know.

3/26/15

Do Now-What is the
contour interval of
this map?
SWBAT- Draw a topographic profile

If given the contour interval, can you

label the lines?

View of island from

the side.
This would be the
topographic profile of
the island.

View of island
from above.
This would be the
topographic map of
the island.

Contour Profile
- The shape you would see if the
land were sliced vertically along
a line between two points on a
topographic map

How to draw a topographic profile

First you need

Scrap paper

A map,
Scrap paper
&

A graph

Step 1
Line your
scrap paper
up to the
correct line
on the map.

Scrap paper

Step 2
On your
scrap paper,
mark off
where all the
contour lines
meet the
paper

Scrap paper

Scrap paper

3
2
1

6
6
5

3
4
5
6
6

0
1
2

Step 3
Label each
tick mark on
your scrap
paper with
the correct
elevation
from the map

Step 4
Move your
scrap paper
to the bottom
of the graph

Step 5
Go straight
up from the
first tick mark
and place a
dot on the
graph at the
appropriate
height.

Step 6
Repeat for
each tick
mark

Step 7
Connect each
dot with a
smooth line

Lets try one more

time . . .

Todays Objective:

Calculating Gradient
Do Now:
1. What is the
contour interval?
2. What is the
elevation of point
B?
3. What direction is
the creek
flowing?

Gradient (or slope)

- The rate of change in values
between two points on a field
map.
- How gentle or steep the land is

Steep

Steep slope
lines are closer
together

Gentle

Gentle slope
lines are farther
apart