BJU Earth Science Fourth Edition Chapter 3 Review

Explain why a map is simply a model of part of the earth's surface.

A map is a simplified, workable image of part of the earth's surface. As with any model, maps do not perfectly show the earth, but only the information that a user needs. You can't take a three-dimensional object and flatten it into a two-dimensional shape without distortion.

Give an example of an earth feature that could be represented by each of the GIS data types. (Answers may vary)

An ocean

Name the three main parts of a geographic information system (GIS).

Computerized geographic data, programs, hardware, and data storage systems that allow mapmakers to display and use this information, and trained users who analyze and plot the data to make maps.

(True or False) All map projections can show the true shape of countries and their true sizes.

False

(True or False) Geographic information system (GIS) applications can be used only by specially trained persons.

False

(True or False) If the north arrow on a map points to the left, you would expect longitude lines to be vertical and latitude lines to be horizontal.

False

(True or False) Maps generally use an oblique view to show as much of the earth's surface as possible.

False

(True or False) The steepness of a slope on a topographic map is indicated by the angle a contour makes with the horizontal.

False

How was John Snow's "Ghost Map" an application of GIS principles?

He took non-geographic information and overlayed it with map facts.

Which grid lines on a standard map are the vertical lines? Horizontal lines?

Longitude (Vertical), Latitude (Horizontal)

List three features on a standard map that help you use it better. (Answers may vary)

Map legend, scale, and north arrow

Why is a map projection needed?

Map projections are needed to accurately transfer details on the earth's surface to a flat mapping surface or a surface that can be flattened while minimizing certain kinds of distortion. Some distortion will still remain.

How are map grid lines like landmarks? How are they different?

Maps use artificial landmarks to locate features. Grid lines are artificial and landmarks are physical and visible.

What kind of projection would show the continent of Antarctica with the least amount of distortion?

Polar Projection

What are three types of standard maps? Which would likely show glaciers and lakes?

Political, geographic, and topographic; Geographic

What is the most efficient way to collect GIS data over large areas?

Remote Sensing

Before modern navigation methods, such as GPS, how did sailors find their longitude?

Seagoing clocks

Discuss the differences between large-scale and small-scale maps.

Small-scale maps cover less of the earth's surface and have more detail like houses while large-scale maps cover more of the earth's surface and focus on things like cities and states.

What are the advantages of plane, cylindrical, and conic projection surfaces in cartography?

The cartographer can transfer each point on the earth's spherical surface to a surface that is flat, or one that can be made flat. The surface may be a plane, a cylinder, or a cone.

Why are thematic maps useful?

Thematic maps display information organized with a single concept or theme plotted on a standard map. Often thematic information is not related to its physical location on the earth's surface, but when plotted on a map, it gains geographic significance.

(True or False) A map scale of 1:50,000 is larger than a scale of 1:300,000.

True

(True or False) A map that shows the location of all the geysers in Yellowstone National Park is a thematic map.

True

(True or False) A position fix is a pair of geographic coordinates.

True

(True or False) GIS mapping is more effective for complex analysis than standard maps because layers of thematic data can be displayed as needed.

True

(True or False) Great circles on a globe do not have to pass through the North and South Poles.

True

(True or False) North, south, east, and west are are always the same, no matter where you are on earth.

True

(True or False) The terms gnomonic, cylindrical, and conic refer to the shapes of the projection surfaces for each kind of projection.

True