Department of Earth Science |Northeastern Illinois University

INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE
ESCI 121
Section 05
 Spring 2009

Daily Objectives #22 (April 14, 2009)                                                                                                           Dr. Sanders

HOMEWORK REMINDERS
n   An extra credit homework opportunity is posted on the homework page as well.  If you wish to earn extra credit by completing this assignment, you must turn it in by today, April 14.

 n   A new homework assignment, Homework #8, has been posted.

By the end of today's class, you should be able to do the following:

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

 n Using a "green glob", create a model of a volcano (a mountain with a central crater at the top).  Scribe contours into the volcano at equal elevations, using a constant contour interval. 

n Draw the topographic map symbol used to indicate a closed depression, and explain why it is necessary to be able to have a separate symbol for this topography.
n Create a topographic model of a hill with a stream valley.

 n Scribe elevation contours into the model.  Sketch a map of the hill and stream.

n Sketch and explain the relationship between contours and streams.

 n Using the key/legend to USGS topographic quadrangles, interpret the symbols on a map.
 

FINDING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS ONLINE AT THE USGS MAP LOCATOR WEBSITE *
(*for another option, try www.terraserver-usa.com; see the homework page for details)

You will need to be able to find USGS topographic maps for your next homework assignment.  They are posted online on several sites.  The Terraserver site is easy to use, and the USGS Map Locator site not much harder.  Terraserver is described on the homework page.  To use the USGS site, do the following:

1) Go to the Earth Science Department home page, click "Terrific Links!", and then click the USGS site (third row). 

2) Click "Maps, Imagery, and Publications", then, under "Maps", click "Download digital scans of topo maps". 

3) Click "Map Locator".  Using the map, zoom in on your site. 

4) Following the directions on the right hand side of the map, select "MARK POINTS ON THE MAP", and click on your point of interest.  A red bubble will appear. 

5) Click on the bubble, and a list of map options will appear.  Choose the first one on the list, and click "Download".  (These are big files, and may take awhile to download!) 

6) You will have to save the map somewhere (like to the Desktop, or "My Documents").  Be sure you know what the map's name is and where it is being saved.

7) When the download is complete, find the icon for the map, and double click it to open it.   

Department of Earth Science | Northeastern Illinois University


Copyright 2009 Laura L. Sanders.  Last updated April 14, 2009.