Topographic Maps

• In contrast to most maps, a topographic map shows the shape of the

Earth’s surface by using contour lines

• A topographic map is a detailed and accurate graphic representation of

cultural and natural features on the ground
• A contour line is an imaginary line that passes through points having the
same elevation above or below sea level

Contour line
Plan
view of
contour
lines

350m
Elevation of
300m
contour lines
250m
200m
150m

100m
50m
 Elevation from Contours
  Distance to High
Elevation = High Contour - High Elevation- Low Elevation
 x  
 
Distance between 

Elevations of points between

contours can be determined by
interpolation.

Ex. To determine the elevation at

the star:
• The distance between contour
lines “200” and “150” is
measured and found to be 4cm
• Measure the distance from
contour line “200” and the star,
it’s found to be 1.5cm
• Deduce the elevation of the star
as : 200- [(200-150)x1.5/4] = 181
characteristics of contour lines
 Contours are Continuous
• Some contour lines may close within the map, but others
will not.
• In this case, they will start at a boundary line and end at a
boundary line
 Valleys

A series of V-shapes
indicates a valley and the
V’s point to higher
elevation.

Valley
 U shapes and ridge
A series of U shapes
indicates a ridge. The U
shapes will point to lower
elevation.
 Contour Spacing

• Evenly spaced
contours indicate an
area of uniform
slope.

• Unevenly spaced
contours indicates an
area with variable
slope.
 Contour Spacing

• Contours spaced close together indicate a higher

% slope.
• Contours spaced wider apart indicate lower %
slope.
 Hills and Depressions

• A series of closed contours with increasing

elevation indicates a hill.

• A series of closed contours with decreasing

elevation indicates a depression.
 Contour Spacing
Contours are
perpendicular to
maximum slope.

 Different types of lines

should be used for
contours of major
elevations.
 Common practice is to
identify the major
elevations lines, or every
fifth line, with a bolder,
wider, line.
Drawing Topographic Sections
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Example
A

B
Topographic/Geologic Section

Topographic
Section
Relationship between Bedding and Topographic
Contours
The orientation and attitude of geologic beds
can be determined from the relationship of
bedding to contours

If the contact between

two formations is
parallel to the
contours, the strata are
Horizontal.
 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
PREDICTING POINTS OF INTERSECTION BETWEEN PLANAR
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES (BEDDING PLANES, FAULTS,
JOINTS,…)

• A strike line is an imaginary horizontal line in the planar

feature (fault /joint/bedding etc.)
• there are an infinite number of strike lines
• a boundary plane will be seen on the ground where a strike
contour intersects the topographic contour of the same
value (elev.)
 Map No.1
The following horizontal layers exist in the shown map:
1. Surface layer of claystone with its lower level at 100 m
2. Sandstone layer of thickness 20m below the first layer
3. Limestone layer of 40m thickness under the second layer
The scale in the map is 1/5000 and the dimensions are in meters.
It’s required to:
a) Draw the outcrops of the three layers
b) Draw cross sections A-A and B-B.

Map No.2
The following map is drawn to scale 1/2000 and the levels are in
meters.
It is found that the layers are horizontal and the top level of the first
layer is at 130 m and the thickness of this layer is 35 m. under this layer
there is another layer of limestone of 20 m thickness.
It’s required to:
a) Draw the outcrops of the two layers
b) Draw cross sections xy
Map No.1
Map No.2
Example

• The scale of the map is 1/10000 and the levels are in meters

• At point A begins a succession of the following horizontal layers:

limestone, sandstone, conglomerate, clay and the thicknesses of these
layers are as follows:200m , 300m and 150m

• Knowing that these layers have been affected by the fault FF’ and the
throw is 150 m in the direction drawn on the map.

It’ s required to:

1. Complete the outcrops of the different layers on both sides

2. Draw the map index showing the successive layers on both sides

3. Draw the cross section X-Y

Map 3

• The scale of the map is 1/10000 and the levels are in meters

• It is found the following 4 horizontal layers affected by the fault

FF’ and the throw is 100 m in northeast

It’ s required to:

1. Complete the outcrops on the side affected by the fault

2. Draw the map index showing the successive layers on both

sides
3. Find the thickness of the different layers

4. Draw the cross section X-Y

 limestone

Clay stone

conglomerate

Sand stone

Map 3
Example

Scale = 1:2000
Dashed Line is the
OUTCROP of a contact
PLANE between two
formations. x

Find the STRIKE and DIP

of the Contact Plane

DIP ANGLE = TAN-1 (D contour)

x

STRIKE = N 600 W
 Example

Scale = 1:1000
A Contact Plane between
two rock formations has a
STRIKE=45o NW and a
DIP =45o SW. It outcrops
at point A.
Find the full outcrop line x
of the Contact Plane
Map 4
A layer of sandstone is shown in the given map

It’ s required:

1. Find the angle of dip and its direction

2. Find the thickness of the sandstone layer
3. Draw the 2 cross sections
Map 4
Map 5

• In the given map, the upper surface of a sandstone layer is

shown at (B), while the lower surface of this layer is shown at (A)

• Knowing that the angle of dip of this layer is 450 and the
direction of dip is shown on the map

• It’s required to :

1. complete the outcrop of this layer

2. Draw the 2 cross-sections, one parallel to the strike lines and the
other to the direction of dip