Question

assessment 02 - topographic maps (skill 2)
source 2: rock mountain contour map
part b:
using the contour map of rock mountain, and the surrounding area...

1. use a red color to highlight the side of the mountain with the steepest slope
2. use a green color to highlight the side of the mountain with the most gradual slope

part c:
a rare storm blew through this area several days ago and dropped an excess of rain onto rock mountain. using a blue color, draw on the map the most likely path that a new river would take from the top of rock mountain to lake y. explain your reasoning below.
part d:
on the graph to the right, create your own elevation profile of the changes from point a to point b
part e: assessing your own performance (circle one)
1 emerging
i can evaluate and compare models by explaining how they accurately or inaccurately represent a real - world system or phenomenon.
2 developing
i can create a model that shows, and describes, parts (components) of a system.
3 approaching
i can create a model that shows how each component interacts with other components in the system.
4 proficient
i can create a model that represents components and interactions within a system at various scales (macroscopic & microscopic).

Explanation:

1. On a contour map, the side with the steepest slope has contour lines that are closest together. So, find the area on Rock Mountain where contour lines are most densely - packed and highlight it red.
2. The side with the most gradual slope has contour lines that are farthest apart. Locate this area on the mountain and highlight it green.
3. A river will follow the path of least resistance, which is the path with the steepest downward - slope. On the contour map, this is the path where the elevation changes most rapidly in the direction from the top of Rock Mountain to Lake Y. Draw a blue line along this path.
4. To create an elevation profile from Point A to Point B, first identify the elevation values at each contour line crossed between A and B. Then, plot these elevation values on the vertical axis of the graph against the horizontal distance (which can be approximated based on the map scale) from Point A to Point B.

Answer:

1. Highlight the side with closest - together contour lines red.
2. Highlight the side with farthest - apart contour lines green.
3. Draw a blue line along the path of steepest downward - slope from top of Rock Mountain to Lake Y.
4. Plot elevation values against horizontal distance from A to B on the given graph.