Alternate exercise for Mt. Hope Cemetery lab:
More fun with topographic maps
All of the topographic maps for this lab are provided online so that you can do them from wherever you have access to a computer.

We suggest that you copy the questions into your word processor and type out answers. Alternatively, you can print a copy and answer them on another sheet of paper. Due to one of the TAs by 10:00 AM Friday, 9 Nov 2007. If you need help, get in touch with one of the TAs.

Looking at your previous lab on topographic maps may help; some of the reference information from that lab is reproduced online here.

New Orleans, Louisiana
This map shows a region just east of central New Orleans. It may be difficult to locate the contours, as they have been strongly modified by human action and may not look natural. 

  1. Find Algiers Lock, on the west side of the map where the Intracoastal Waterway meets the Mississippi River. Locate the sea level contour (00) nearby. If the steep contours between the higher ground around the lock go down in elevation towards the river, what does this mean about the river?
  2. Would the golf course be a good place to stand during a flood? Why or why not?
  3. Describe a specific location that you would want to stand during a flood and explain why. 
  4. With respect to floods, where is the flood plain for the Mississippi?
  5. What is the maximum relief on this map?
  6. This map is (obviously) very close to the coastline. Given the relief of the map, do you think this is an active margin (subduction zone) or a passive margin (continental shelf)? Explain.
  7. How did the topography of New Orleans predispose the area to significant flooding (which has been responsible for much of the displacement of people and long-term damage) during an event such as Hurricane Katrina?  Explain in 2-3 sentences. 

The Rincon area, Utah

  1. First of all, what is the geomorphic name for the sinuous feature around “The Rincon”??
  2. Describe the form of the river.  What does the topography along the edges of the river indicate about the recent tectonic history of the area?
  3. Based on the topography, do you think that the river is the dominant erosive force in the area? What other erosive forces might be operating? How significant are they?
  4. The Colorado River was dammed between 1956 and 1966 to form Lake Powell. Would you expect the water level to rise or fall when a river is dammed?
  5. Based on the topographic contours, does it appear that the water level has increased or decreased? Why do you think this might be?

Nestucca Bay, Oregon

  1. Measure and record the width of the Nestucca River’s flood plain in three places.
  2. Why do the flood plains of the Nestucca and Little Nestucca Rivers stop in Nestucca Bay? Explain.
  3. In which compass direction has the spit that forms Kiwanda Beach migrated? Draw an arrow offshore showing the net direction of sediment movement.
  4. Based on your previous observations, how will the Nestucca River change course in the future? You could draw on the map one or two possible future courses. Will Pacific City always be on the river?
  5. What is the total topographic relief of this map?
  6. With that in mind, do you think this is an active margin (subduction zone) or a passive margin (continental shelf)? Explain.
  7. Bathymetric contours (underwater topography) are not shown on this map.  Using the answer to the previous question, briefly explain what they would look like if they were shown.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

  1. The topography in this part of the Canyonlands reflects the structural activity taking place (no, they are not glacial). What is the general trend (strike) of the structures (e.g. N-S)?
  2. What do you think these structures are (the map has a hint written on it somewhere)?
  3. What feature(s) cut across this trend? What enables them to do so?
  4. Assume for the moment that the rock layers here are flat-lying. Do you think the layers at higher or lower elevations are more easily eroded? Can you tell? Explain.
  5. What is the overall gradient from the high point in “Ernie’s Country” (NW corner of map) down to the Colorado River?
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