The ability to read and interpret topographic maps is considered a basic skill for all geoscientists and geoscience students. They are also commonly used by field geologists for a variety of applications.

Topographic maps will be familiar to those of you who are hikers or outdoor enthusiasts they are used to understand the landscape over which you will hike (or rock climb or ski, etc). Why should I become familiar with all aspects of topographic maps? This module is designed to give you experience examining and reading topographic maps, understanding scale, calculating slope and drawing topographic profiles. Although these can be mathematically derived, most geologists create them by measuring the elevation (and position) in the field (or on an aerial photo), plotting elevation on a map and connecting lines of equal elevation (much like connect-the-dots except that all the same numbers are connected, rather than in sequence). Topographic maps show the three-dimensional shape of the landscape by representing equal elevation with lines on a two-dimensional map they are in essence a type of contour map (also used in meteorology and oceanography).

Define dredging on a topographic map