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May 1, 2019 · Lesson 4 - How to read a topographic map | U.S. Geological Survey. An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. Files. Training Materials. What Do Maps Show? Lesson 4 - How to read a topographic map. By Educational Resources May 1, 2019. Lesson 4.pdf (25.9 KB)
The smaller the topo map scale ratio (i.e. the larger the bottom number of the ratio), the less detail the map will contain. For example, a 1:63,360 represents a larger area and therefore shows less detail than a 1:24,000 map. Orienting the map. A topographic map is oriented to true north, which is the direction of the North Pole.
Jan 26, 2024 · Here are just a few details a topographic map may bring to light: Elevation changes, which are shown through contour lines. Streams, rivers, lakes, and various other important bodies of water. Mountains, forests, tree cover, and other large natural features. Trails, roads, railroads, and other major transportation infrastructure.
Downloading and Purchasing USGS Topographic Maps. Download free digital topographic maps in a GeoPDF format by going to the USGS Store and clicking on "Map Locator & Downloader". Users have the option of selecting two different kinds of topographic maps. Both can be downloaded in a digital format for free or ordered as a paper product: US Topo ...
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The USGS has been the definitive source for U.S. topo maps since the 1880s. Often referred to as quadrangle maps, or quads, the most commonly used USGS topo maps have a scale of 1:24,000 and cover 7.5 minutes of longitude by 7.5 minutes of latitude. In apps and on the Internet, the quads get scanned into digital files and seamed together into one c...
Established in 2009, the USGS calls USTopostheir next-generation version of USGS topo maps, and the maps use seamless digital data, while adhering to the quad format. USTopos show contours, roads, built areas, water, mountains, and labeled trails. Since the USGS does not field-verify the newer, digital topos, they often show fewer trails, remote ro...
On the Web, you can locate and download many types of maps and satellite images through The National Map, including individual topos. Apps like Gaia GPS also tap into The National Map service to provide a seamless view of the newest USTopos in the palm of your hand. Learn how to display The USGS National Map in Gaia on iOS and Android.
USFS topo maps (FSTopos) use the same format as the USGS – 1:24,000-scale, 7.5-minute topographic map series, but with enhancements and regular revisions contributed by USFS field staff that emphasize forest-related information. For example, while USGS topos outline national forests in pink, FSTopos color their complete footprints in a light grayis...
You may also want to read about OpenStreetMap-based topo maps, and experiment with all of these sources in Gaia GPS as you organize your next trek. Follow the iOS and Androidlinks throughout this post to learn how to use them in the app. If you have any questions about using topo sources in Gaia, please email us at support@gaiagps.com.
May 27, 2023 · 1. Use the thicker contour lines to determine the elevation. Contour lines represent paths or segments of the Earth. Topographic maps are covered in contour lines. Some contour lines are thicker, known as indexed contour lines. They have a number next to them that shows you the elevation of that path or segment. [1]
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Feb 24, 2023 · Map scales vary greatly across different topo maps, but the most common scale is 1:24,000 for topo maps created in the United States. On a 1:24,000 scale map, 1 inch on the map is representative of 24,000 inches, or 2000 feet, on the ground. The United States Geological Survey quadrangle maps are scaled to 1:24,000.
