Rock-It Science - Maps as Model - Unit 1

International Date Line

longitude line 180 degrees east or west of the prime meridian

latitude

distance, measured in degrees, north or south of the equator

longitude

distance, measured in degrees, east or west of the

map legend

key that explains symbols on a map

map scale

relates distances on a map to actual distances

map view

shows Earth's surface from above

profile view

shows an object as though you were looking at it from the side

time zone

area on Earth where people use the same time; there are 24

aerial

operating or occurring overhead

contour interval

topographic map line that connects points of equal elevation

cross-section

a profile view that shows a vertical slice through rocks below Earth's surface

elevation

height above sea level

geologic map

shows the surface geology of an area

relief

difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point

remote sensing

collecting information about an area without being there

slope

measured steepness of the land; to calculate: elevation (rise) divided by distance (run)

topographic map

shows detailed shapes and natural and human-made features of Earth's surface

cylindrical projection

conical projection

planar projection

relief map

use shading and shadows to identify mountains and flat areas

global positioning system

a group of satellites used for navigation; 3 satellites required to locate a point, a 4th satellite can give elevation

GPS

global positioning system

geographic information system

integrated, computerized information used to store and analyze map data and create digital maps

GIS

geographic information system

Landsat

series of satellites used to collect data about Earth's changing surface

OSTM/Jason

series of satellite missions used to determine ocean topography, circulation, sea level, tides, El Nino and La Nina events, and climate changes

SeaBeam

device that uses sonar to map the bottom of the ocean

sonar

a system for the detection of objects under water and for measuring the water's depth by emitting sound pulses and measuring the time for their return

hachures

short lines drawn inside a closed loop indicate a depression or crater; point downslope

closed loops

contour lines never cross

index contour

heaviest contour lines, each labeled with elevation

sea level

the average elevation of the worlds ocean between high and low tide

ridges

contours point downslope

valleys

contours point upslope

topography

the shape and height and depth of the features of a place

compass

device having a magnetic needle that indicates direction on the earth's surface by pointing toward the north

point elevation

fall between contour lines on a map

meridian

an imaginary circle of longitude on the earth's surface passing through the north and south poles

Prime Meridian

the meridian of 0° longitude from which other longitudes are calculated