contour maps visualizing3-dimensions（等值线图visualizing3尺寸）.docVIP

Contour Maps: Visualizing 3-dimensions A contour map is a good way to represent a surface on a 2-dimensional sheet of paper. With practice, interesting information such as highpoints (maxima), lowpoints (minima) and saddles can be detected. Contour maps are a good way to “see” complicated surfaces. Below are some examples of contour maps, plus some discussion: (all topo maps are from ) Humphreys Peak, Arizona. Note the nested behavior of the contours, all counting “up” to the summit elevation, 12,633 feet. The map shows dark contours every 200 feet, lighter contour intervals every 40 feet. The consistent spacing of the contours suggest a uniform shape to the mountain’s slopes (it’s an old extinct volcano). See the “local maximum” marked 12,089 at the bottom? Can you identify the saddle a bit to its upper left? What is the approximate elevation (z-value) of this saddle? Mather Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Mather Point is the most popular overlook at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the first one you’ll come to once you enter the park. Note the broad spacing of the contours in the lower left, suggestion generally flat ground (the contours are at 40 foot intervals). Now note the multitude of intervals everywhere else – this, of course, is the canyon! Contours are never supposed to touch but in this picture the resolution seems to indicate they do. These would be the nearly vertical cliffs, while the slightly spaced-apart contouring would be the slopes between the cliffs. You can see the dramatic drop in elevation (change in z-value): Mather Point is at 7,118 feet, while less than a mile to the north-northeast is a point with an elevation of 4,968 feet, a nearly 2,200-foot drop. Pipe Spring is below 3,800 feet. Yes, the canyon drops steeply! Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. The contour lines here are in brown, but there aren’t many to be seen, suggesting our university is on mostly flat ground (the purple colorin