Map SkillsLesson Five : Contour Lines
Geographical features: Physical or Human?
Sort the map symbols into categories of physical (natural features) and human (man-made features).
Are there any that you are unsure about?
Can you find any of these symbols on the OS map?
Can you name the four-figure grid reference for five of the symbols?
How could we find this on a map?
© Wikipedia Commons
How is this landscape shown on the OS map?
© Wikipedia Commons
How it would appear on an OS map
Triangulation Pillars
© Peter Robinson
Triangulation pillars (or trig points) were surveying points formerly used for measuring the exact location of:
• Land boundaries, railways, roads, and other infrastructure.
Despite not being in use anymore, many trig points are useful for hikers as navigation points.
Contour lines and gradient
© Wikipedia
Contour lines
Can you match the contour lines with the landform?
Draw around each contour line onto thick card.
Cut out each piece. Stick together with a layer of thick
card in between. Make sure each layer is the same
width apart.
Main activity
Make a 3-D model using contour lines
How to make a contour model
Trace the contour line
Stick thick card in between each contour line layer
Plenary
How would the landscape features appear on a map?
Have a go at drawing the contact lines?
Cliff
The White Cliffs of Dover © Tobias von der Haar, Flickr
V-shaped valley
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Brink of Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming © Ken Lund, Flickr
U-shaped valley
Classic U shaped Valley on east side of Chinook Pass © Robert Ashworth, Flickr
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