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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Maps & Fieldwork

Topographic map

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

nounCore term

In geology & earth sciences, topographic map means: A detailed map that shows the shape and height of the land using contour lines, together with rivers, roads, buildings and other features.

In Turkish: topoğrafik harita, topoğrafya haritası

How it is used

The base map for most fieldwork: geologists plot their observations on a topographic map before drawing a geological map. Common phrases: topographic map sheet, a 1:25,000 topographic map, read a topographic map. 'Topo map' is informal.

Example sentences

  1. Mark each sample location on your topographic map.

  2. On this topographic map, the contour interval is 10 metres.

Common collocations

  • topographic map sheet
  • read a topographic map
  • base map
  • 1:25,000 topographic map
  • contour lineA line on a map joining points of equal height above sea level. Lines that are close together show a steep slope; widely spaced lines show gentle ground.
  • scaleThe ratio between a distance on a map and the real distance on the ground. On a 1:25,000 map, 1 cm on paper equals 250 m on the ground.
  • geological mapA map that shows which rock units occur at or just below the surface, together with their ages, boundaries, faults, folds and strike and dip measurements.
  • fieldworkWork done outdoors at real sites, such as observing, measuring, mapping and sampling rocks, soils or rivers, rather than in a laboratory or office.

More terms: Maps & Fieldwork

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