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The word topography is derived from two Greek
Words topos & graphia.
Topos = place Graphia = writing
The configuration of a surface including its relief
and position of its natural and man-made
features is called topography.
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Objective
To determine the position of any feature such
as latitude, longitude and altitude.
To identifying features and recognizing typical
landforms patterns.
A topographic study may be made for military
planning and geological exploration.
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Techniques of topography
Techniques of topography depend on;
The scale and size of the area under study.
Accessibility of the area.
The quality of existing surveys.
Direct survey
Remote sensing
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Forms of topographic data
Raw survey data
Remote sensing data
Topographic mapping
Digital elevation modeling
Topological modeling
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Types of Topography
Mountains
Land form rising at least 2,000 ft
above sea level; has steep sides.
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Hill
Landform ranging from 500 ft to
2,000 ft; known for its rounded
top and gentle slopes.
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Valley
A lowland between
mountains or hills.
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Plains
A flat generally level
expanse of land.
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Oasis
A fertile place found in a barren
land formed by underground
springs.
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Plateau
A highland plain or elevated area
of mostly level land, often with
deep canyons.
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Mesa
A small high plateau
with steep sides.
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Butte
A landform that resembles
a mesa, but is smaller.
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Stream
A water body generally
60 ft wide.
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Tributary
A stream which feeds and
enlarges a larger body of water.
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RiverA water body formed by
tributaries coming together
which empties into a bigger body
of water.
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Delta
Triangular shaped deposits found
at the mouth of a river.
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Estuary
The wide mouth of a river where
the ocean tide meets the river
current.
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Lake
A body of water surrounded
by hills.
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Reservoir
An artificial lake created
by a dammed river.
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Waterfall
A descent of water that plunges
from a cliff or shelf of rock.
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Isthmus
A narrow strip of land which
connects two larger bodies of
land.
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Peninsula
A piece of land extend from a
larger landmass and nearly
surrounded by water.
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Island
An area of land completely
surrounded by water.
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Effect of slope on soil genesis
Slope controls the following soil properties
within a specific geographic region:
Depth of the solum
Thickness & organic matter content of the
horizon
Relative wetness of the profile
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Colour of the profile
Degree of horizon differentiation
Soluble salt content
Kind and degree of pan development
Temperature
Character of the initial material
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Topographic factors
Configuration of land surface
Altitude
Slope
Aspect and exposure