EPSS 200 Earth Systems

Science
Instructor: Muhammad Asim Iqbal
Fall 2024

EPSS 200 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE

 ku.ac.ae

Course Lab Topics

• Contour (Topographic) Maps.

• Identification of Minerals (2)

• Igneous Rocks.

• Sedimentary Rocks (2)

• Metamorphic Rocks.

• Geology of the UAE.

• UAE Shorelines and Desert.

• Weather Systems.

• Hydrogeology.

• Biostratigraphy.
EPSS 200 Earth Systems science
 ku.ac.ae

Lab Assessment
• Fieldwork (10%)
• Lab work (20%)

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 Lab 1: Contour
(Topographic) Maps

EPSS 200 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE

 ku.ac.ae

Contour (Topographic) Maps

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Objectives
• To improve your ability to make and interpret contour maps,
including topographic maps.

• To improve your ability to visualize in 3D from 2D data.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

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Contour (Topographic) Maps

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

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Introduction
• A contour map is an accurate two-dimensional drawing of a three-
dimensional land surface.

• Changes in height (relief) are shown by contour lines.

• A topographic map uses symbols to show oceans, lakes and rivers,

vegetation, roads, buildings etc.

• Contour maps are valuable tools for geologists and engineers.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Construction of Contour (Topographic) Maps

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Construction of Contour (Topographic) Maps

• Contour maps show surface relief or height variation by using contour
lines.

• Index contour lines: Every fifth contour line is a thicker, “index” line.
At some point along that line, its exact elevation is listed.

• A contour line connects all points that have the same height/elevation.

• The difference in height between adjacent contours is the contour

interval.
EPSS 200 Earth Systems science
 ku.ac.ae

Contour Lines
• Contour Lines Describe Terrain - topographic maps give you the
power to visualize 3D terrain from a flat piece of paper by contour
lines.

• Contour lines indicate the steepness of terrain - contour lines

connect points that share the same elevation: Where they’re close
together (they never intersect), elevation is changing rapidly in short
distance and the terrain is steep. Where contour lines are wide apart,
elevation is changing slowly, indicating a gentle slope.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Contour Lines

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

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Contour Lines
• Contour lines also indicate the shape of the terrain - roughly
concentric circles are probably showing you a peak, and areas
between peaks are passes.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Contour Lines

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Contour (Topographic) Maps - Contour Line Rules

1. Every point on a contour line is the same height.

2. Contour lines always separate higher areas (uphill) from lower areas (downhill).

3. Contour lines do not cross each other.

4. The closer contour lines are to one another the steeper the slope. Evenly spaced
contour lines represent a uniform slope.

5. Contour lines form a V pattern when crossing streams.

6. Contour lines are repeated across ridges and valleys.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science
 ku.ac.ae

Contour (Topographic) Maps - Contour Line

Rules

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

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Contour (Topographic) Maps - Scales

• Topographic maps are drawn to scale. This means they are an exact representation of
what we see in real life, but smaller.

• A map scale is the proportion by which a measurement on the surface is reduced to

make the map. Different types of scales are used on topographic maps:

• Ratio: E.g., 1:1000 – 1cm on the map = 1,000cm in real life

• Fractional: E.g., 1/1000 – The map is one thousandth the size of the area in real
life
0 1
• Graphical (bar): This scale is drawn on the map
Kilometers
EPSS 200 Earth Systems science
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Contour (Topographic) Maps- Gradient

• A gradient is a measure of the steepness of a slope expressed in
meters per kilometer or feet per mile.

• It is the vertical distance between two points divided by the

horizontal distance between the two points (relief).

Gradient = vertical distance / horizontal distance

gradient = 10 m / km 125 ft / mi.

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Contour (Topographic) Maps- Profile

• A topographic profile is a cross-section that
shows the vertical changes of the surface
topography along a selected line on the map.

• If the same scale is not used to show vertical

and horizontal distances, the profile will show
a vertical exaggeration of the surface.

• Vertical exaggeration =
vertical fractional scale /
horizontal fractional scale

VE = (1/5000) / (1/10,000)

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

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Contour (Topographic) Maps- Profile

EPSS 200 Earth Systems science

 ku.ac.ae

Contour (Topographic) Maps- Profile

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EPSS 200 Earth Systems science