TOPIC

Isoline maps
10.4 •
There are many advantages of isoline maps. They:
are easy to understand
• show relative increase/decrease in values
An isoline is a line that joins places with the same or • show gradual change and spatial patterns
equal value. Isoline maps use isolines to show gradual • show data across physical and political
change in continuous data—data that is found boundaries
everywhere—about one feature of the Earth’s surface. • can show change over time with a series of maps
Temperature and air pressure, for example, are They do have some disadvantages. For example,
found everywhere. They don’t change abruptly at they need a large amount of data collected from
a country border, and therefore must be mapped as right across the area studied.
continuous data across the Earth’s surface.
There are many different types of isolines. Some
of the best-known examples are: 1 Why is a contour line an isoline? Why is an
• isobars—joining places of equal air pressure isobar sometimes called a weather contour?
• isotherms—joining places of equal temperature
2 What is the difference between an isoline map,
• isohyets—joining places of equal precipitation
a dot map and a choropleth map? Make a list
• contours—joining places of equal height above
of the main advantages of each type of map.
sea level.
Isolines:
• connect points of equal value
Interpreting an isoline map
• do not cross or touch, though they may be
nearly on top of each other Step by step
• show increasing and decreasing trends in the
STEPS IN INTERPRETING AN ISOLINE MAP
value being mapped.
1 What feature is being mapped?
On isoline maps, the values on one side of the
isoline are lower than those on the isoline, and 2 What value does each isoline show, and what
is the interval between consecutive isolines?
those on the other side are higher. The difference
between one isoline and the next is the same over 3 Identify areas with high/low and increasing/
the entire map. decreasing values.

Surface temperature (°C)

90°N
30

20 60°N

10
30°N
0

–10 0°

–20
30°S
–30

–40 60°S

–50
90°S
0° 60°E 120°E 180° 120°W 60°W 0°

10.10 An isoline map showing mean surface temperature data for 22 October 2007 from thousands of recording stations—
continuous data across a continuous surface

128 KEY SKILLS IN GEOGRAPHY

 4 Describe your overall visual impression of the 4 Review the position of isolines on the map.
change and spatial patterns shown on the 5 Label a number of isolines with a value so that
map. Explain and find reasons for the spatial the map can be read.
patterns shown.
6 If the map is to be coloured (weather maps are
5 What is the potential impact of the change and not coloured), determine colours to be used to
spatial patterns shown on the map? shade between isolines.
7 Shade the map. Complete the map key, title
and other details.

1 What is continuous data? How does Figure

10.10 show continuous data mapped across a
continuous surface?
1 Using Figure 10.12 and the steps in drawing
2 Using the Steps in interpreting an isoline map, an isoline map, describe what happens at each
explain what Figure 10.10 shows generally stage of drawing an isoline map.
about the pattern of world mean temperatures
2 Write labels that could be placed around the
on 22 October 2007.
three diagrams in Figure 10.12 to explain the
3 Study Figure 10.11, and complete each of steps in drawing this isoline map.
the steps in interpreting an isoline map. If the
trends shown on this isoline map continue,
7
what are some of the likely outcomes? 3
29 12
4 What is the advantage of an isoline map over 2
21
a dot map or a choropleth map when mapping 12
14
33
31 40 22
the data shown on Figures 10.10 and 10.11? 42
Key: 43 41 28
18
Rainfall recording 36
Drawing an isoline map
13
35
station 24 31 31
7 millimetres 24
23
recorded 11
Step by step 8
17 10
9
STEPS IN DRAWING AN ISOLINE MAP
7
3
1 Obtain point data for the feature to be mapped.
2 29 12
2 Decide on the isolines to be drawn, and the 21
interval between consecutive isolines. 12 33
14
31 40 22
3 Carefully draw isolines between the point 42
43 41 28
18
data—each isoline must pass between points 36 13
with higher and lower values. 35 31
24 31

23 24
11
17 10
8
9

50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
15.0
10.0 Key:
5.0 40 mm or more
0.0
–5.0 30–39 mm
–10.0 20–29 mm
–15.0 10–19 mm
–20.0 less than 10 mm
–30.0
–40.0
Trend in annual total rainfall, –50.0 10.12 Drawing an isoline map of rainfall (mm) recorded in
1970–2006 (mm/10 years) one hour in a storm event

10.11 Australian climate variability and change: the trend

in annual total rainfall, 1970–2006

Chapter 10 MORE MAP SKILLS 129