click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Ch 1 Earth's Surface
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| topography | the shape of the land determined by elevation, relief, and landforms |
| elevation | Height above sea level. |
| relief | The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area. |
| landform | A feature of topography formed by the processes that shape Earth's Surface |
| plain | A landform made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief. |
| mountain | A landform with high elevation and high relief. |
| mountain range | A group of mountains that are closely related in shape, structure, area and age. |
| plateau | A large landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface. |
| landform region | A large area of land where the topography is made up mainly of one type of landform. |
| globe | A sphere that represents Earth's entire surface. |
| map | A flat model of all or part of Earth's surface as seen from above |
| map projection | A framework of lines That helps to transfer points on Earth's surface onto a flat map |
| symbol | On a map a picture used by map markers to stand for features on Earth's surface |
| key | A list of the symbols used on a map and their meanings |
| scale | Used to relate distance on a map or globe to distance on Earth's surface |
| degree | A unit used to measure distances around a circle one degree equals one three hundred sixtieth of a full circle |
| equator | an imaginary line that circles earth halfway between the north and south poles |
| hemisphere | One half of the sphere that makes up Earth's surface |
| prime meridan | The line that makes a half circle from the North Pole to the South Pole then passes through Greenwich England |
| latitude | the distance in degrees north or south of the equator |
| longitude | The distance in degrees east or West of the prime meridian |
| surveying | The process of gathering data for a map by using instruments and the principles of geometry to determine distance and elevation |
| digitizing | Converting information to numbers for use by a computer. |
| pixel | One bit of a digitized image, often appearing as a small square or dot. |
| aerial photograph | A photograph taken by cameras mounted on airplanes |
| satellite image | A picture of the land surface based on computer data collected from satellites. |
| Global Positioning System | A navigation system that uses satellite signals to locate a radio receiver on Earth's surface. |
| Geographic Information System | A system of computer hardware and software used to produce interactive maps. |
| Topographic map | A map that shows the surface features of an area. |
| contour line | A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation |
| contour interval | The difference in elevation from one contour line to the next. |
| index contour | On a topographic map, a heavier contour line that is labeled with elevation of that contour line. |