CARTOGRAPHY TERMS The chain is a convenient unit in cadastral surveys

because 10 square chains equal 1 acre.

Degree of conformity with a standard. Ans. Chain
Accuracy relates to the quality of a result and
is distinguished from precision which relates Special-purpose map designed for navigation or to
to the quality of the operation by which the present specific data or information. The term "chart" is
result is obtained. applied chiefly to maps made primarily for nautical and
Ans. Accuracy aeronautical navigation, and to maps of the heavens,
although the term is sometimes used to describe other
Process designed to remove special-purpose maps.
inconsistencies in Ans. Chart
measured or computed quantities by
applying derived corrections to compensate Charts designed to meet requirements of aerial
for random or accidental errors. navigating, produced in several series, each on a
Ans. Adjustment specified map projection and differing in scale, format,
and content, for use as dictated by type of aircraft and
The process of developing a network of whether flight is to be conducted under visual or
horizontal and or vertical positions from a instrument flight rules.
group of known positions using direct or Ans. Chart, Aeronautical
indirect measurements from aerial
photographs and mathematical computations. Representation of a portion of the navigable waters of
Ans. Aerotriangulation the Earth and adjacent coastal areas on a specified
map projection and designed specifically to meet
Instrument, or part of an instrument , for determining requirements for marine navigation. Included on most
direction , either horizontal or vertical . In its simplest nautical charts are depths of water, characteristics of
form, a peepsight or telescope mounted on a the bottom, elevations of selected topographic
straightedge and used for plotting directions features, general configurations and characteristics of
graphically. In such instruments as transits and the coast, the shoreline (usually the mean high water
theodolites, the alidade is the part containing the line), dangers, obstructions and aids to navigation
telescope and its attachments. limited tidal data, and information about magnetic
Ans. Alidade variation in the charted area.
Ans. Chart, Nautical
Instrument for measuring altitudes or elevations with
respect to a reference level, usually mean sea level. Process of preparing a separate drawing, engraving, or
The most common type is an aneroid barometer. A negative for each color required in the printing
radar altimeter determines the height of an aircraft production of a map or chart.
above the terrain by measuring the time required for Ans. Color Separation
an electromagnetic pulse to travel from aircraft to the
ground and back. Preparation of a new or revised map or chart, or
Ans. Altimeter portion thereof, from existing maps, aerial
photographs, field surveys, and other sources.
Horizontal direction reckoned clockwise from the south Ans. Compilation
Ans. Azimuth
Image not broken into dots by photographic screen;
Part of a beach that is usually dry and is reached only contains unbroken gradient tones from black to white,
by the highest tides; by extension, a narrow strip of and may be either in negative or positive form. Aerial
relatively flat coast bordering the sea. photographs are examples of continuous-tone prints.
Ans. Backshore Contrasted with halftone (screened) and line copy.
Ans. Continuous Tone
Science of measuring water depths (usually in the
ocean) to determine bottom topography. Imaginary line on ground, all points of which are at the
Ans. Bathymetry same elevation above or below a specific datum.
Ans. Contour
Relatively permanent material object, natural or
artificial, bearing a marked point whose elevation Difference in elevation between two adjacent contours.
above or below an adopted datum is known. Ans. Contour Interval
Ans. Bench Mark
Points of established position or elevation, or both,
Material object placed on or near a boundary line to which are used to fix references in positioning and
preserve and identify the location of the boundary line correlating map features. Fundamental control is
on the ground provided by stations in the national networks of
Ans. Boundary Monument triangulation and traverse (horizontal control) and
leveling (vertical control). Usually it is necessary to
Science and art of making maps and charts. The term extend geodetic surveys, based on fundamental
may be taken broadly as comprising all the steps stations, over the area to be mapped, to provide a
needed to produce a map: planning, aerial suitable density and distribution of control points.
photography, field surveys, photogrammetry, editing, Supplemental control points are those needed to relate
color separation, and multicolor printing. Mapmakers, the aerial photographs used for mapping with the
however, tend to limit use of the term to the mapfinishing system of ground control. These points must be
operations, in which the master manuscript is positively photoidentified; that is, the points must be
edited and color separation plates are prepared for positively correlated with their images on the
lithographic printing. photographs.
Ans. Cartography Ans. Control Mapping

Unit of length equal to 66 feet, used especially in the Point on the ground whose position (horizontal or
U.S. public land surveys. The original measuring vertical) is known and can be used as a base for
instrument (Gunter's chain) was literally a chain additional survey work.
consisting of 100 iron links, each 7.92 inches long. Ans. control station
Steel-ribbon tapes began to supersede chains around
1900, but surveying tapes are often still called "chains"
and measuring with a tape is often called "chaining."
Linear and (or) angular quantities that designate the Process of preparing a separate drawing, engraving, or
position of a point in relation to a given reference negative for selected types of data in the preparation of
frame. a map or chart.
Ans. Coordinates Ans. feature separation

Points in a system of coordinates which serves as a Belt of low flat ground bordering a stream channel that
zero point in computing the system's elements or in is flooded when runoff exceeds the capacity of the
prescribing its use. stream channel.
Ans. coordinates, origin of Ans. flood plain

Features constructed by man that are under, on, or Lines, resembling contour lines, drawn to present a
above the ground which are delineated on a map. conception of the shape of the terrain without regard to
These include roads, trails, buildings, canals, sewer a true datum or regular spacing
systems, and boundary lines. In a broad sense, the Ans. Formlines
term also applies to all names, other identification, and
legends on a map Science concerned with the measurement and
Ans. Culture mathematical description of the size and shape of the
earth and its gravitational fields. Geodesy also includes
In surveying, a reference system for computing or the large-scale, extended surveys for determining
correlating the results of surveys. There are tow positions and elevations of points, in which the size and
principal types of datums: vertical and horizontal. A shape of the earth must be taken into account.
vertical datum is a level surface to which heights are Ans. Geodesy
referred. In the United States, the generally adopted
vertical datum for leveling operations is the National Figure of the Earth visualized as a mean sea level
Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The horizontal datum surface extended continuously through the continents.
is used as a reference for position. The North American It is a theoretically continuous surface that is
Datum of 1927 is defined by the latitude and longitude perpendicular at every point to the direction of gravity
of an initial point (Meade's Ranch in Kansas), the (the plumbline).
direction of a line between this point and a specified Ans. Geoid
second point, and two dimensions that define the
spheroid. The new North American Datum of 1983 is Network of parallels and meridians on a map or chart.
based on a newly defined spheroid (GRS80); it is an Ans. Graticule
Earth-centered datum having no initial point or initial
direction. System of coordinates of latitude and longitude used to
Ans. datum (pl. datums) define the position of a point on the surface of the
Earth with respect to the reference spheroid.
In astronomy, the angular distance of a celestial body Ans. graticule, geographic
above (north, plus) or below (south, minus) the
celestial Equator. Magnetic declination is the angular Network of uniformly spaced parallel lines intersecting
difference between magnetic north and true at right angles. When superimposed on a map, it
(geographic) north at the point of observation; it is not usually carries the name of the projection used for the
constant but varies with time because of the map- that is, Lambert grid, transverse Mercator grid,
"wandering" of the magnetic north pole. universal transverse Mercator grid.
Ans. Declination Ans. Grid

Line on a map or chart connecting points of equal Any series of lines used on a map to indicate the
depth below the datum. general direction and steepness of slopes. The lines are
Ans. depth curve short, heavy, and close together for steep slopes;
longer, lighter, and more widely spaced for gentle
Rapid method for copying documents in which the slopes.
image is developed by exposure to ammonia. Ans. Hachure
Ans. diazo process
A picture in which the gradations of light are obtained
Bank of earth or stone used to form a barrier, by the relative darkness and density of tiny dots
frequently and confusingly interchanged with levee. A produced by photographing the subject through a fine
dike restrains water within an area that normally is screen.
flooded. Ans. Halftone
Ans. Dike
Maximum height reached by a rising tide. The height
Instruments that measure the phase difference may be due solely to the periodic tidal forces or it may
between transmitted and reflected or retransmitted have superimposed upon it the effects of prevailing
electromagnetic waves of known frequency, or that meteorological conditions. Use of the "high tide" is
measure the round-trip transit time of a pulsed signal, discouraged
from which distance is computed. Ans. high water
Ans. electronic distance measuring (EDM) device:
Intersection of the land with the water surface at an
Vertical distance of a point above or below a reference elevation of high water.
surface or datum. Ans. high water line
Ans. Elevation
Line or mark left upon tidal flats, beach, or along shore
Group of natural processes including weathering, objects indicating the elevation or the intrusion of high
dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation that water.
remove material from any part of the Earth's surface. Ans. high water mark
Ans. Erosion
Survey of water area, with particular reference to
That portion of a stream influenced by the tide of the submarine relief, and any adjacent land.
body of water into which it flows; an arm of the sea at Ans. hydrographic survey
a river mouth.
Ans. Estuary
Science that deals with the measurement and as
description of the physical features of the oceans, seas, distinguished from continuous- tone copy.
lakes, rivers, and their adjoining coastal areas, with Ans. line copy (line drawing)
particular reference to their use for navigation.
Ans. Hydrography Angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds, of
a point east or west of the Greenwich meridian.
Scientific study of the waters of the Earth, especially Ans. Longitude
with relation to the effects of precipitation and
evaporation upon the occurrence and character of Minimum height reached by a falling tide. The height
ground water. may be due solely to the periodic tidal forces or it may
Ans. Hydrology have superimposed upon it the effects of
meteorological conditions.
Topography referred to the national geodetic vertical Ans. low water
datum of 1929. The science or art of describing heights
of land surfaces with reference to this datum. Intersection of the land with the water surface at an
Ans. Hypsography elevation of low water. Not to be confused with mean
low water line.
Science or art of determining terrain relief, by any Ans. low water line
method.
Ans. Hypsometry Graphic representation of the physical features
(natural, artificial, or both) of a part or the whole of the
Visible representation of objects and (or) phenomena Earth's surface, by means of signs and symbols or
as sensed or detected by cameras, infrared and photographic imagery, at an established scale, on a
multispectral scanners, radar, and photometers. specified projection, and with the means of orientation
Recording may be on photographic emulsion (directly indicated.
as in a camera or indirectly after being first recorded Ans. Map
on magnetic tape as an electrical signal) or on
magnetic tape for subsequent conversion and display Map on which information may be placed for purposes
on a cathode ray tube. of comparison or geographical correlation. The term
Ans. Imagery "base map" was at one time applied to a class of maps
now known as outline maps. It may be applied to
Instrument that detects infrared radiation and converts topographic maps, also termed "mother maps" that are
the detected energy to an electrical signal for recording used in the construction of other types of maps by the
on photographic film or magnetic tape. addition of particular data.
Ans. infrared scanner (thermal mapper) Ans. map, base

Chart showing isogonic lines properly labeled with their Maps delineating the form of the bottom of a body of
magnetic declination. water, or a portion thereof, by the use of depth
Ans. isogonic chart contours (isobaths).
Ans. map, bathymetric
Line joining points on the Earth's surface having equal
magnetic declination as of a given date. Map showing the boundaries of subdivisions of land,
Ans. isogonic line often with the bearings and lengths thereof and the
areas of individual tracts, for purposes of describing
Coding system of categories and subcategories and recording ownership. It may also show culture,
designed for use on a map to designate land or water drainage, and other features relating to land use and
use. value.
Ans. land use classification system Ans. map, cadastral

Monument of material mark or fixed object used to Thematic map in which areas are colored, shaded,
designate a land boundary on the ground: any dotted, or hatched to create darker or lighter areas in
prominent object on land that may be used to proportion to the density of distribution of the theme
determine a location or a direction in navigation or subject.
surveying. Ans. map, choropleth
Ans. Landmark
Conversion of map data from graphic to digital form.
Angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds of Ans. map digitization
a point north or south of the Equator.
Ans. Latitude Map showing information that is essential for planning
an engineering project or development and for
Line weighted with lead for making depth soundings in estimating its cost. It usually is a large-scale map of a
water. small area or of a route. It may be entirely the product
Ans. lead line of an engineering survey, or reliable information may
be collected from various sources for the purpose, and
Artificial bank confining a stream channel or limiting assembled on a base map.
adjacent areas subject to flooding; an embankment Ans. map, engineering
bordering a submarine canyon or channel, usually
occurring along the outer edge of a curve. Map designed for studying and planning control
Ans. Levee projects in areas subject to flooding.
Ans. map, flood control
Surface which at every point is perpendicular to the
plumbline or the direction in which gravity acts. Map prepared principally to show the size, density,
Ans. level surface kind, and value of trees in a designated area.
Ans. map, forestry
Surveying operation in which heights of objects and
points are determined relative to a specified datum. Map showing the structure and composition of geologic
Ans. Leveling features.
Ans. map, geologic
Map copy suitable for reproduction
without the use of a screen; a drawing composed of lines
Map showing relief with elevations referred to the Tidal datum that is the arithmetic mean of the high
national geodetic vertical datum of 1929. water heights observed over a specific 19-year
Ans. map hypsographic Metonic cycle (National Tidal Datum Epoch). For
stations with shorter series, simultaneous observations
Map showing relief by any convention, such as are made with a primary control tide station to derive
contours, hachures, shading, or tinting. the equivalent of a 19-year value. Use of "mean high
Ans. map, hypsometric tide" is discouraged.
Ans. mean high water
Map consisting of lines connecting places of equal value
of distribution for a given theme such as rainfall or Intersection of the land with the water surface at the
temperature. elevation of high water.
Ans. map, isopleth Ans. mean high water line

Map showing by means of a coding system the various Tidal datum that is the arithmetic mean of the low
purposes for which parcels of land are being used by water heights observed over a specific 19-year
man. Metonic cycle (National Tidal Datum Epoch). For
Ans. map, land use stations with shorter series, simultaneous observations
are made with a primary control tide station to derive
Map composed of lines as distinguished from the equivalent of a 19-year value. Use of "mean low
photographic imagery. tide" is discouraged.
Ans. map, line Ans. mean low water

Map that presents only the horizontal positions for Intersection of the land with the water surface at the
features represented. distinguished from a topographic elevation of low water.
map by the omission of relief in measurable form. The Ans. mean low water line
features usually shown on a planimetric map include
rivers, lakes, and seas; mountains, valleys, and plains; Tidal datum that is the arithmetic mean of the hourly
forests, and prairies; cities, farms transportation water elevations observed over a specific 19-year
routes, and public utility facilities; and political and Metonic cycle (National Tidal Datum Epoch). Shorter
private boundary lines. A planimetric map intended for series are specified in the name; that is, monthly mean
special use may present only those features essential sea level and yearly mean sea level.
to the purpose to be served. Ans. mean sea level
Ans. map, planimetric
Metes-and-bounds traverse approximately along the
Orderly system of lines on a plane representing a mean high water line of a permanent body of water.
corresponding system of imaginary lines on an adopted By following the sinuosities of the bank or shoreline,
terrestrial or celestial datum surface. Also, the the meander line provides data for computing the area
mathematical concept for such a system. For maps of of land remaining after the water area has been
the Earth, a projection consists of 1) a graticule of lines segregated. A meander line differs from other metes
representing parallels of latitude and meridians of and bounds surveys in that it does not ordinarily
longitude or 2) a grid. determine or fix boundaries.
Ans. map projection Ans. meander line

Family of maps conforming generally to the same Great circle on the surface of the Earth passing through
specifications and designed to cover an area or a the geographical poles and any given point on the
country in systematic pattern. Earth's surface. All points on a given meridian have the
Ans. map series same longitude.
Ans. Meridian
Map showing the degree of steepness of the Earth's
surface by the use of various colors or shading for Method of describing land by measure of length
critical ranges of slope. (metes) of the boundary lines (bounds).
Ans. map, slope (clinometric map) Ans. metes and bounds

Map that shows the constitution, structure, and texture Period of 235 lunations or about 19 years. devised by
of the soil and identifies ongoing erosion. Meton, an Athenian astronomer (5th century B.C.) for
Ans. map, soil the purpose of obtaining a period at the end of which
the phases of the moon recur in the same order and on
Map designed to identify coastal areas subject to the same days as in the preceding cycle.
flooding, to indicate recommended areas of refuge, and Ans. Metonic cycle
to emphasize available evacuation routes.
Ans. map, storm evacuation Decimal system of weights and measures based on the
meter as a unit length and the kilogram as a unit mass.
Map designed to provide information on a single topic, Ans. metric system
such as geology, rainfall, population.
Ans. map, thematic Pertaining to the observation of a single photograph or
other view.
Map that present the horizontal and vertical positions Ans. Monoscopic
of the features represented; distinguished from a
planimetric map by the addition of relief in measurable Permanent physical structure marking the location of a
form. survey point. Common types of monuments are
Ans. map, topographic inscribed metal tablets set in concrete posts; and metal
rods driven in the ground.
Area of salt-tolerant vegetation in brackish and (or) Ans. monument (surveying)
saline-water habitants subject to tidal inundation.
Ans. marsh, coastal Assembly of aerial photographs whose edges usually
have been torn or cut selectively and matched to the
Tract of low wet ground, usually miry and covered with imagery on adjoining photographs to form a continuous
rank vegetation. representation of a portion of the Earth's surface.
Ans. marsh, freshwater Ans. mosaic, aerial
Stereoplotter of the double-projection type New material printed on a map or chart to show data of
characterized by its use of reduced- scale diapositives importance or special use, in addition to those data
and stationary lamp houses with condensing lenses. originally printed.
Ans. Multiplex Ans. Overprint

Device for sensing radian energy in several channels of A circle, or approximation of a circle, on the surface of
the electromagnetic spectrum. the Earth, parallel tot he Equator, and connecting
Ans. multispectral scanner (MSS) points of equal latitude; a circle of the celestial sphere
parallel to the ecliptic, and connecting points of equal
Water usable, with or without improvements, as routes celestial latitude.
for commerce in the customary means of travel on Ans. parallel of latitude
water.
Ans. navigable waters Science or art of obtaining reliable measurements or
information from photographs or other sensing
Line separating the body of a map from the map systems.
margin. On a standard quadrangle map, the neatlines Ans. Photogrammetry
are the meridians and parallels delimiting the
quadrangle. Map made by adding marginal information, descriptive
Ans. Neatline data, and a reference system to a photograph or
assembly of photographs.
Survey or examination of condition in the ocean or any Ans. photomap (photographic map)
part of it, with reference to animal or plant life,
chemical elements present, temperature gradients, etc. Region of uniform general slope, comparatively level, of
Ans. oceanic survey considerable extent, and not broken by marked
elevations and depressions (it may be an extensive
Comparatively flat zone of variable width that extends valley floor or a plateau summit); an extent of level or
from the outer margin of the rather steeply sloping nearly level land; a flat, gently sloping, or nearly level
shoreface to the edge of the continental shelf. region of the sea floor.
Ans. Offshore Ans. Plain

Establishing correct relationship in direction with Instrument consisting essentially of a drawing board on
reference to points of the compass; the state of being a tripod and some type of sighting device (alidade)
in correct relationship in direction with reference to the with attached straightedge, used for plotting the lines
points of the compass. of survey directly from observation in the field.
Ans. Orientation Ans. Planetable

Point in a system of coordinates that serves as a zero Plan details of a map - those having no indication of
point in computing the system's elements or in relief or contour.
prescribing its use. Ans. Planimetry
Ans. origin of coordinates
Meridian of longitude 0 degrees, used as the origin for
Photograph having the properties of an orthographic measurements of longitude. The meridian of
projection. It is derived from a conventional Greenwich, England, is the internationally accepted
perspective photograph by simple or differential prime meridian on most charts. However, local or
rectification so that image displacements caused by national prime meridians are occasionally used.
camera tilt and terrain relief are removed. Ans. prime meridian
Ans. Orthophotograph
Public lands are subdivided by a rectangular system of
Map produced by assembling orthophotographs at a surveys established and regulated by the Bureau of
specified uniform scale in a map format. Land Management. The standard format for subdivision
Ans. orthophotographic map is by townshipsmeasuring 6 miles (480 chains) on a
side. Townships are further subdivided into 36
Orthophotographic map with contours and cartographic numbered sections of 1 square mile (640 acres) each.
treatment, presented in a standard format, and related Ans. public land system
to standard reference systems.
Ans. Orthophotomap Middle exposure of a phototriplet (three consecutive
aerial photographs) take so that the middle photograph
Monocolor orthophotgraphic map presented in a is exposed directly above the center of the
standard quadrangle format and related to standard quadrangle and the preceding and following
reference systems. It has no contours and little or photographs are exposed directly above the boundaries
cartographic treatment. of the quadrangle. The flying height is set such that the
Ans. Orthophotoquad quad-centered photograph covers the entire
quadrangle.
Photomechanical device used in conjunction with a Ans. quad-centered photograph
double-projection stereoplotter for producing
orthophotograph. Four-sided area, bounded by parallels of latitude and
Ans. Orthophotoscope meridians of longitude used as an area unit in
mapping (dimensions are not necessarily the same in
Any portion of a map lying outside the nominal map both directions). Also, a geometric figure of significance
border (neatline). in geodetic surveying.
Ans. Overedge Ans. Quadrangle

Printing or drawing on a transparent or translucent Determination of the location of points by the

medium intended to be placed in register on a map or successive intersection and resection of direction lines
other graphic and which shows details not appearing or radiating from the radial centers of overlapping aerial
requiring special emphasis on the base material. photographs.
Ans. Overlay Ans. radial-line plotting
The process of scanning and reprojecting a photograph Technique of distance measurement wherein the
onto a horizontal plane in differential elements to observer reads the intercept subtended on a graduated
remove displacements caused by tilt and relief. The rod between two marks on the reticle of the telescope.
process may be accomplished by any one of a number Ans. Stadia
of instruments developed specifically for the purpose.
Ans. rectification, differential Coordinate systems established by the U.S. Coast and
Geodetic Survey (now the National Ocean Survey),
Projection of an aerial photograph (mathematically, usually one for each state, for use in defining positions
graphically, or photographically) from its plane onto a of points in terms of plane rectangular (x,y)
horizontal plane by translation, rotation, and (or) scale coordinates.
change to remove displacement due to tilt of the Ans. state plane coordinate system
camera.
Ans. rectification, simple Production of a map or chart manuscript from aerial
photographs and geodetic control data by means of
Elevations and depressions of the land or sea bottom. photogrammetric instruments.
Ans. Relief Ans. Stereocompilation

Technique for making hypsography on a map appear Instrument for plotting a map by observation of
three dimensional by the use of graded shadow effects. stereomodels formed by pairs of photographs.
Generally, the features are shaded as though Ans. Stereoplotter
illuminated from the northwest.
Ans. relief shading Pertaining to the use of binocular vision for observation
of a pair of overlapping photographs or other
Process of detecting and (or) monitoring chemical or perspective views, giving impression of depth.
physical properties of an area by measuring its Ans. Stereoscopic
reflected and emitted radiation.
Ans. remote sensing Decrease in the elevation of land surface due to
tectonic, seismic, or artificial forces, without removal of
Scale of a map or chart expressed as a fraction or ratio surface material.
that relates unit distance on the map to distance Ans. Subsidence
measured in the same unit on the ground.
Ans. representational fraction Orderly process of determining data relating to any
physical or chemical characteristics of the Earth. The
Summation of all processes involved in printing copies associated data obtained in a survey. An organization
from an original drawing. A printed copy of an original engaged in making a survey.
drawing made by the processes of reproduction Ans. Survey
Ans. Reproduction
Surveying instrument designed for use in the rapid
Relationship existing between a distance on a map, determination of distance, direction, and difference of
chart, or photograph and the corresponding distance on elevation from a single observation, using a short base
the Earth. which may be an intergraph part of the instrument.
Ans. Scale Ans. tacheometer (tachymeter)

Height of the surface of the sea at any given time. Precision surveying instrument for measuring
Ans. sea level (water level) horizontal and vertical angles.
Ans. Theodolite
Unit of subdivision of a township; normally a
quadrangle 1 mile square with boundaries conforming Periodic rise and fall of the water resulting from
to meridians and parallels within established limits, gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and
and containing 640 acres as nearly as practicable. Earth. The vertical component of the particulate motion
Ans. Section of a tidal wave. Although the accompanying horizontal
movement of the water is part of the same
Technical means, usually electronic, to extend man's phenomenon, it is preferable to designate this motion
natural senses by detecting emitted or reflected as tidal current.
energy. The energy may be nuclear, electromagnetic Ans. Tide
(including the visible and invisible portions of the
spectrum), chemical, biological, thermal, or mechanical Configuration (relief) of the land surface; the graphic
Ans. Sensor delineation or portrayal of that configuration in map
form, as by contour lines; in oceanography the term is
Intersection of the land with the water surface. applied to a surface such as the sea bottom or surface
Ans. Shoreline of given characteristics within the water mass.
Ans. Topography
Mathematical figure closely approaching the geoid in
form and size and used as a surface of reference for Unit of survey of the public lands of the United States,
geodetic surveys. A reference spheroid or ellipsoid is a normally a quadrangle approximately 6 miles on a side
spheroid determined by revolving an ellipse about its with boundaries conforming to meridians and
shorter (polar) axis and used as a base for geodetic parallels within established limits, containing 36
surveys of a large section of the Earth (such as the sections. Also, in minor governmental subdivision.
Clarke spheroid of 1866 which is used for geodetic Ans. Township
surveys in the United States).
Ans. Spheroid Precision surveying instrument; a theodolite in which
the telescope can be reversed in direction by rotation
Point on a map or chart whose height above a specified about its horizontal axis.
datum is noted, usually by a dot or a small sawbuck Ans. Transit
and elevation value. Elevations are shown, on a
selective basis, for road forks and intersections, grade Sequence of lengths and directions of lines connecting
crossings summit of hills, mountain a series of stations, obtained from field measurements,
Ans. spot elevation and used in determining positions of the stations.
Ans. Traverse
Method of extending horizontal position on the surface
of the Earth by measuring the angles of triangles and
the included sides of selected triangles.
Ans. Triangulation

Method of surveying wherein the lengths of the triangle

sides are measured, usually by electronic methods, and
the angles are computed from the measured lengths.
Compare with triangulation.
Ans. Trilateration

Military grid system based on the transverse Mercator

projection, applied to maps of the Earth's surface
extending from the Equator to 84 Degrees north and
80 degrees south latitudes
Ans. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid

Highland; ground elevation above the lowlands along

rivers or between hills.
Ans. Upland

Instrument for observing starts near the zenith (a point

on the celestial sphere directly above the observer's
position).
Ans. zenith telescope