So far, we have discussed how to collect geographic data, how to manage and manipulate it in a database, and how to represent thematic data in map form. This chapter will explore the various geographic approaches to representing Earth’s surfaces. We will begin the chapter describing topographic maps, from their historical use to their current applications. Next, we will consider different approaches to storing, creating, and representing Earth’s elevation data. Finally, we end the chapter by considering surfaces that are not land-based: bathymetry, the measurements of oceanic depths, or the varying sea floor elevations.
Students who successfully complete Chapter 8 should be able to:
Chapter lead author: Jennifer Smith.
Portions of this chapter were drawn directly from the following text:
Joshua Stevens, Jennifer M. Smith, and Raechel A. Bianchetti (2012), Mapping Our Changing World, Editors: Alan M. MacEachren and Donna J. Peuquet, University Park, PA: Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University.