MappingMapping

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

Introduction to MapsIntroduction to Maps

Maps are an extremely useful tool for Maps are an extremely useful tool for many science and non-science many science and non-science disciplines.disciplines.

They provide “pictures” of They provide “pictures” of areas/regions/land surfaces!areas/regions/land surfaces!

Correct interpretation can tell you MANY Correct interpretation can tell you MANY things!things!– MINGOMINGO!!

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

Shape of the EarthShape of the Earth

Earth is most Earth is most accurately accurately described as an described as an oblate spheroidoblate spheroid (almost a sphere). (almost a sphere). Flattened at theFlattened at the polespoles

Bulges at theBulges at the equatorequator

NP

SP

Finding Locations Finding Locations on the Earthon the Earth

There are three main reference points:There are three main reference points:

EquatorEquator

NorthNorth andand South Geographic PolesSouth Geographic Poles

East–West & North-South on The EarthEast–West & North-South on The Earth

X axis = Equator.X axis = Equator.

Y axis = Prime Meridian which runs through Greenwich, Y axis = Prime Meridian which runs through Greenwich, England.England.

Lat/Long are the 2 grid points by which you can locate any Lat/Long are the 2 grid points by which you can locate any point on earth.point on earth.

Y

X

So each of the four quarters can then So each of the four quarters can then be designated by North or South and be designated by North or South and East or West.East or West. N

S

EW

The N tells us The N tells us we’re north of the we’re north of the Equator. The S tells Equator. The S tells us we’re south of the us we’re south of the Equator.Equator.

The E tells us that The E tells us that we’re east of the we’re east of the Prime Meridian. The Prime Meridian. The W tells us that we’re W tells us that we’re west of the Prime west of the Prime MeridianMeridian..

(N, W) (N, E)

(S, W) (S, E)

ALL points in NorthALL points in North America will have a North latitude and a America will have a North latitude and a West longitude because it is North of the West longitude because it is North of the Equator and West of the Prime Meridian.Equator and West of the Prime Meridian.

(N, W

)

Prime Meridian

What would be What would be the latitude and the latitude and longitude longitude directions in directions in Australia?Australia?

Prime Meridian ?

If you said South and East , you’re right!

Latitude (parallels)Latitude (parallels)

Describe positions Describe positions NorthNorth and and SouthSouth of the of the equator. Parallels run equator. Parallels run easteast to to westwest around the around the world.world.

Parallels are measure in Parallels are measure in degreesdegrees from from 00 to to 9090. . Those that are above the equator are labeled Those that are above the equator are labeled NorthNorth; those below are labeled ; those below are labeled SouthSouth..

Each degree of latitude consists of 60 equal Each degree of latitude consists of 60 equal parts called parts called minutesminutes. . o Each minute is divided into Each minute is divided into 60 seconds60 seconds

Example: 38Example: 38oo 53’ 51” 53’ 51”

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

Longitude (meridians)Longitude (meridians)

Describes positions Describes positions EastEast and and WestWest of the Prime of the Prime Meridian. Meridians run Meridian. Meridians run northnorth and and southsouth around the around the world.world.

The 0The 0oo meridian is called the meridian is called the Prime Meridian Prime Meridian and runs and runs directly through directly through Greenwich, EnglandGreenwich, England..

Locations Locations easteast of Prime Meridian have longitudes of Prime Meridian have longitudes between between 0 and 1800 and 180oo E E. Locations west of the Prime . Locations west of the Prime Meridian have longitudes between Meridian have longitudes between 0 and 1800 and 180oo W W..

Longitude can also be broken down into Longitude can also be broken down into minutesminutes and and secondsseconds..

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

Longitude Determines TIMELongitude Determines TIME

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

The Earth is divided into 24 time zones!The Earth is divided into 24 time zones!– because the Earth Rotatesbecause the Earth Rotates

Rate of Rate of ROTATIONROTATION – think….. – think…..

–The Earth Spins 360The Earth Spins 360 0 0 in 24 hours in 24 hours

= 15= 150 0 /hour/hourWe measure from The Prime Meridian in Greenwich We measure from The Prime Meridian in Greenwich England England

Every 15 Every 15 00 to the East = +1 Hour to the East = +1 HourEvery 15Every 1500 to the West = - 1 Hour to the West = - 1 Hour

If it is 4:00 PM in New York What time will it be in Iowa, Utah, and Oregon?

4:00 PM

Mapping the Earth’s SurfaceMapping the Earth’s Surface

CartographyCartography – science of map making – science of map making

MapsMaps – flat representations of Earth – flat representations of Earth

The best representation of earth is a The best representation of earth is a globeglobe..

No matter what type of map is made, some No matter what type of map is made, some portion is always distorted. portion is always distorted. CartographersCartographers work to minimize the effects of these work to minimize the effects of these distortions. distortions.

Reading a MapReading a Map

LegendLegend - list of symbols and their meanings- list of symbols and their meanings

ScaleScale – indicates the relationship (a ratio) – indicates the relationship (a ratio) between the distances on the map and the between the distances on the map and the actual distanceactual distance

Features of Topographic MapsFeatures of Topographic Maps

ElevationElevation – height above sea level – height above sea levelSea level Sea level – point between the highest and lowest tide – point between the highest and lowest tide

levels (elevation at sea level = 0)levels (elevation at sea level = 0)Contour lines Contour lines – used to show elevation and connect – used to show elevation and connect

all points on the map with equal elevationall points on the map with equal elevationContour interval Contour interval – difference in elevation between – difference in elevation between

one contour line and the nextone contour line and the nextReliefRelief – difference in elevation between the highest – difference in elevation between the highest

and lowest pointsand lowest pointsIndex contour Index contour – every 5– every 5thth line is BOLD and its line is BOLD and its

elevation is labeledelevation is labeled

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman

Contour Lines: Connect all points on a map that have the same elevation above sea level.

Topographic MapsTopographic Maps

There are many symbols used on the There are many symbols used on the map. These are explained in the map. These are explained in the legendlegend..

Topographic MapsTopographic MapsContour lines spaced close together indicate a Contour lines spaced close together indicate a

steepsteep slopeslope..

Contour lines spaced far apart indicate a Contour lines spaced far apart indicate a gentlegentle slopeslope..

Contour lines that form a closed loop indicate Contour lines that form a closed loop indicate a a hillhill..

V-shaped contour lines indicate a V-shaped contour lines indicate a valleyvalley and and the “V” will point the “V” will point upstreamupstream. (Rivers flow . (Rivers flow DOWNHILL)DOWNHILL)

Created by L. ZimmermanCreated by L. Zimmerman