How to Read Relief Maps
- 1). Read around the base of the relief map to locate the map's scale. The scale is the ratio of distance on the map to the real world distance. For example, if the map shows 1:20, and the map is in a inches to miles ratio, every inch on the map represents 20 miles in the real world.
- 2). Look to the sides of the map to find the "legend". Map legends indicate icons, symbols, numbers and signage. Common icons are road route numbers, striated and crossed lines for train tracks and criss-crossing rectangles for airports. Each legend is different, and it is necessary to consult the legend to interpret the particular map you read at the time.
- 3). Find large mountains or deep canyons, depicted with a rise or dip along the map surface. Read the striation marks along the mountain or canyon relief. Striation marks on relief maps follow topographical map rules. Look to the scale and legend to determine the altitude ratio each striation represents. For example, on some maps, the lines indicate an altitude gain of 100 feet per line. As the lines get closer together, the terrain gets more steep.
- 4). Look at color differences on mountain rises or canyon dips. Some relief maps use color changes to indicate altitude changes instead of striation lines. These maps do not indicate precise changes between lines; they show the rise with the scaled relief.
