Map and Compass Flashcards

On a topographic map, what does a series of concentric closed contour lines indicate?

Answer: A hilltop or peak

Concentric closed contour lines represent a hilltop or peak, with the innermost circle being the highest point.

Which map feature is used by wildland firefighters to identify potential escape routes and safety zones based on terrain?

Answer: Contour lines

Contour lines reveal terrain shape, allowing firefighters to identify ridges, saddles, and drainages critical for escape route planning.

When orienting a map with a compass, what should align with the compass needle?

Answer: The map's north edge (toward magnetic north)

Orienting a map means aligning the map's north edge with the compass needle pointing to magnetic north (after accounting for declination).

What is the term for the angle difference between true north and the direction a compass needle points?

Answer: Magnetic declination

Magnetic declination is the angular difference between true (geographic) north and magnetic north shown by a compass.

A firefighter reads a compass bearing of 315°. In what general direction is this?

Answer: Northwest

315° on a compass corresponds to northwest (NW), located three-quarters of the way around from north in the counterclockwise direction.

What does a dashed contour line typically represent on a USGS topographic map?

Answer: A supplementary contour at half the contour interval

Dashed (supplementary) contour lines represent elevation at half the standard contour interval to show subtle terrain features.

In wildland fire operations, why is it important to know the contour interval of the map you are using?

Answer: To determine how steep terrain is between contour lines

Knowing the contour interval lets firefighters estimate slope steepness — closely spaced lines with a large interval indicate very steep terrain.