How To Read A Quadrangle Map

Contents

How do you read a quad map?

What is a quadrangle on a map?

A “quadrangle” is a topographic map produced by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) covering the United States. The maps are usually named after local physiographic features. The shorthand “quad” is also used especially with the name of the map for example “the Ranger Creek Texas quad”.

How do you read latitude and longitude on a quadrangle map?

The latitude and longitude are printed at the edges of the map. alignment with the “0” on the latitude line recorded in step 3 and the edge intersecting the point. north line of the small quadrangle (the total distance). (NOTE: 150″ is the number of seconds of arc for the side of the small quadrangle on a 7.5′ map.

What are the six rules for reading a topographic map?

Terms in this set (6)

Rule 1: Slope. The closer the lines are the steeper the slope. …
Rule 2: Flow and Source of a River/Stream. …
Rule 3: Mountains and Hills. …
Rule 4: Highest possible elevation of a hill/mountain. …
Rule 5: Depressions. …
Rule 6: Lowest possible elevation of a depression.

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What is the name of this topographic quadrangle?

The United States was systematically divided into precise quadrangles based on latitude and longitude lines and these maps are commonly referred to as “quads.” This chapter starts with tips on how to read the margins of a topographic map.

How do you read contour lines?

Put simply contour lines mark points of equal elevation on a map. If you trace the length of a line with your finger each point you touch is the same height above sea level. If you were to walk the path of a contour line in real life you would remain at the same elevation the whole hike never traveling up or down.

What is quadrangle shape?

A quadrangle or quadrilateral is a two-dimensional shape with four angles and four sides. A trapezoid is a quadrangle with at least one pair of parallel sides. A kite is a quadrangle with two pairs of adjacent congruent sides. A parallelogram is a quadrangle with two pairs of parallel sides.

Where can I find USGS quadrangle?

There are three ways to get full-scale plots of USGS topographic quadrangle maps including both Historical Topographic maps (produced 1884-2006) and US Topo maps (produced 2009-present). Order a paper map from the USGS Store . Use the Store’s Map Locator to find the desired map.

What does 1 24000 mean on a map?

It is given as a ratio of inches on the map corresponding to inches feet or miles on the ground. For example a map scale indicating a ratio of 1:24 000 (in/in) means that for every 1 inch on the map 24 000 inches have been covered on the ground. Ground distances on maps are usually given in feet or miles.

How do you read lat and long on a map?

Latitude is indicated on a map by a series of evenly-spaced horizontal lines running from one side of the map to the other while longitude is indicated by a series of evenly-spaced vertical lines running from top to bottom. Look for numbers along the edges of the map giving coordinates for each line.

What is the scale of a 7.5 minute quadrangle map?

1:24 000-
The best known USGS maps are those of the 7.5-minute 1:24 000-scale quadrangle series. A scale of 1:25 000 is used for maps based on metric units (1 centimeter = 0.25 kilometer). The area portrayed on each sheet ranges from 64 square miles at latitude 30 degrees north to 49 square miles at latitude 49 degrees north.

Do you read latitude or longitude first?

Handy tip: when giving a co-ordinate latitude (north or south) always precedes longitude (east or west). Latitude and longitude are divided in degrees (°) minutes (‘) and seconds (“). There are 60 minutes in a degree and 60 seconds in a minute (similar to measuring time).

What is Rule #2 when reading a topographic map?

Rule 1 – every point of a contour line has the same elevation. Rule 2 – contour lines separate uphill from downhill. Rule 3 – contour lines do not touch or cross each other except at a cliff.

What is every 5th contour line called?

index contour

To make topographic maps easier to read every fifth contour line is an index contour. The index contour lines are the only ones labeled. The index contours are a darker or wider line in comparison to the regular contour lines. Elevations are marked on the index contour lines only.

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What do contour lines that are close together show?

Spacing of contours: close contours indicate a steep slope distant contours a shallow slope. Two or more contour lines merging indicates a cliff.

How do you read a topographic survey?

How to read a topographic map

The closer together the contour lines the steeper the slope.
The further apart the contour lines the gentler the slope.
If you see contour lines that form a V pointing uphill you’re looking at a valley. …
If you see contour lines that form a V pointing downhill you’re looking at a ridge.

How do you read a topographic map in geology?

Several principles are important for reading a topographic map:

Contour lines show the 3-dimensional shape of the land (Figure below). …
Concentric circles indicate a hill. …
Hatched concentric circles indicate a depression as seen in the Figure below. …
V-shaped expanses of contour lines indicate stream valleys.

How many square miles is a quadrangle?

In the United States a 7.5 minute quadrangle map covers an area of 49 to 70 square miles. As a specific surveying term a quadrangle is the basic subdivision of the United States Public Land Survey System.

What are 3 types of contour lines?

Contour lines are of three different kinds. They are the Index lines Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines.

What is spot height on a map?

A spot height is an exact point on a map with an elevation recorded beside it that represents its height above a given datum. … In geoscience it can be used for showing elevations on a map alongside contours bench marks etc.

What do closely spaced contour lines on a topographic map indicate?

Contour lines that are relatively close together indicate a slope that is fairly steep. Contour lines that are further apart indicates a slope that is relatively flat.

How many sides are on a quadrangle?

Quadrilateral
Some types of quadrilaterals
Edges and vertices	4
Schläfli symbol	{4} (for square)
Area	various methods see below

How many sides does a quadrangle have?

What quadrangle means?

1 : quadrilateral. 2a : a 4-sided enclosure especially when surrounded by buildings. b : the buildings enclosing a quadrangle. 3 : a tract of country represented by one of a series of map sheets.

How do you use USGS maps?

Are USGS maps free?

Both US Topo and HTMC maps can be downloaded free of charge through several USGS interfaces. In addition to topographic quadrangles the USGS publishes many other kinds of geospatial data and imagery.

What does USGS stand for?

United States Geological Survey

The USGS (United States Geological Survey) is a science bureau within the United States Department of the Interior.

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What does 1 100000 mean on a map?

Map scale refers to the relationship (or ratio) between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. For example on a 1:100000 scale map 1cm on the map equals 1km on the ground. … For example a 1:100000 scale map is considered a larger scale than a 1:250000 scale map.

How many feet does one inch on a quadrangle map represent?

A commonly used scale for this purpose is 1:600 (1 inch on the map represents 50 feet on the ground).

What does 1 30000 mean on a map?

For example if your U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map has a scale of 1:24 000 it means that 1 inch on the map is equal to 24 000 inches (2 000 feet or 610 meters) in the real world. … Puerto Rico for example maps at 1:20 000 or 1:30 000 because the country originally mapped at a metric scale.

How do you read DMS coordinates?

Latitude and longitude are broken into degrees minutes seconds and directions starting with latitude. For instance an area with coordinates marked 41° 56′ 54.3732” N 87° 39′ 19.2024” W would be read as 41 degrees 56 minutes 54.3732 seconds north 87 degrees 39 minutes 19.2024 seconds west.

How do you read grid references?

When taking a grid reference always read left to right along the bottom or top of the map first and then bottom to top along the side of the map. This is particularly important in an emergency situation.

How do you read grid coordinates?

The number of the vertical grid line on the left (west) side of the grid square is the first and second digits of the coordinates. The number of the horizontal grid line on the bottom (south) side of the grid square is the fourth and fifth digits of the coordinates.

What is a 15 minute quadrangle map?

The 15 Minute Quadrangle maps provide vital geographic historical and topographic information that can be used in understanding the nature of a place.