BASIC MAP READING

MILITARY SCIENCE (MS-1)

Name of Presenter
 LESSON OBJECTIVES
UPON COMPLETION OF THIS LESSON THE STUDENT WILL:

IDENTIFY THE MARGINAL INFORMATION OF A MAP.

IDENTIFY CONTOUR LINES IN A MAP
ENUMERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAP
LABEL THE PARTS OF A COMPASS
IDENTIFY MILITARY SYMBOLS
IDENTIFY MAP SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
DEMONSTRATE HOW TO ORIENT THE MAP.
LOCATE GRID SQUARES IN THE MAP.
 INTRODUCTION
- MAPS AND THEIR SUBSTITUTES ARE OF PARTICULAR
VALUE TO THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. IT IS
NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY RIDGES, VALLEYS ROUTES OF
MOVEMENT, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF A
SECTION OF TERRAIN THAT CAN NOT BE RECONNOITERED
IN ADVANCE.

- THIS LESSON IS TO ENABLE YOU TO READ A MAP.

AND APPLY THE THEORIES, PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES
THAT ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL IN THE TOTAL
DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL UNIT LEADERS.
BASIC MAP READING
MAP - IS A GEOGRAPHICAL
REPRESENTATION OF THE EARTH SURFACE
DRAWN TO A SCALE IN A FLAT PLANE.

 IMPORTANCE OF MAP:
a) USED FOR STRATEGIC, TACTICAL
PLANNING IN ALL COMMAND.
b) USED TO SHOW THE RELATIVE
POSITION ON A CERTAIN GIVEN AREA.
c) USED TO SHOW ACCURATE
DISTANCE, LOCATION, BEST ROUTES AND
KEY TERRAIN FEATURES.
d) TO AVOID LOST AND KEEP ALIVE.
BASIC MAP READING

 CARE OF MAP:
a) PROPER FOLDING BY: ACCORDION FOLD
OR SLIT FOLD
b) CARRY MAPS IN A WATERPROOF POCKET
AND USE ACETATE TO COVER THE MAP.
C) AVOID DRAWING OR IMPROPER MARKING
TO AVOID CONFUSION.
 SECURITY OF MAPS:
a) MAPS MUST NOT FAIL INTO
UNAUTHORIZED HAND.
b) WHEN IN DANGER, DESTROY THE MAP.
c) AVOID INDICATION OF PLANS OR AREA OF
INTEREST IN THE MAP.
BASIC MAP READING

B. CATEGORIES AND USES OF MILITARY MAPS:

THE TERM MILITARY MAP INCLUDES ALL MAPS

DESIGNED FOR USE OF MILITARY AUTHORITIES
EXCEPT AERONAUTICS & HYDROGRAPHIC
CHARTS.

SCALE - IS EXPRESSED AS A FRACTION AND

GIVES THE RATIO OF MAP DISTANCE TO GROUND
DISTANCE.
a) SMALL SCALE - SCALE OF 1:600,000 AND
SMALLER (USED FOR GENERAL PANNING FOR
STRATEGIC STUDIES AT THE HIGH ECHELON).
BASIC MAP READING

b) MEDIUM SCALE - LARGER THAN

1:600,000 BUT SMALLER THAN 1:75,000
(FOR PLANNING OPERATIONS, INCLUDING
THE MOVEMENT AND CONCENTRATION
OF TROOPS AND SUPPLIES).

c) LARGE SCALE - SCALE OF 1:75,000

AND LARGER (FOR TACTICAL TECHNICAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS OF FIELD
UNITS.)
BASIC MAP READING
 TYPES OF MAPS:
a) PLAINMETRIC MAP - SHOWING ONLY THE
HORIZONTAL (FLAT) POSITION OF FEATURES.
b) TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS - A TWO DIMENSIONAL
MAP WHICH REPRESENTS THE HORIZONTAL (FLAT
AND VERTICAL RELIEF) POSITIONS OF FEATURES
REPRESENTED.
c) PLASTIC RELIEF MAP – A TOPOGRAPHIC
MAP REPRINTED ON PLASTIC MATERIAL AND
FORMED BY HEAT AND VACUUM OVER A
REPRODUCTIVE POSITIVE MOLD THUS GIVING
THE SAME INFORMATION AS CONTAINED ON
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP.
BASIC MAP READING

d) PHOTO MAP - A REPRODUCTION OF

PHOTOGRAPH UPON GRID LINES, MARGINAL DATA,
PLACE, NAMES AND BOUNDARIES MAY BE ADDED.

e) JOINT OPERATION MAP – USED FOR

GROUND AND AIR OPERATIONS. THE MAPS ARE
PUBLISHED IN A GROUND AND AIR EDITION.

f) PICTOMAP – IT IS A MAP ON WHICH THE

PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGINARY OF A STANDARD
PHOTOMAP HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO
INTERPRETABLE COLORS AND SYMBOLS.
BASIC MAP READING
g) PHOTOMOSAIC - AN ASSEMBLY OF AERIAL
PHOTOGRAPH TO FORM A COMPLETE PICTURE.
h) MILITARY CITY MAP - A LARGE SCALE OF
TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF A CITY OR TOWN AND THE
STANDARD SCALE IS 1:12,000.
i) SPECIAL MAP - MAPS FOR SPECIAL
PURPOSES SUCH AS TRAFICABILITY,
TRANSFORMATION AND BOUNDARY MAPS.
j) TERRAIN MODEL - A THREE DIMENSIONAL
REPRESENTATION OF AN AREA MOLDED ON
PLASTIC, RUBBER OR ANOTHER MATERIAL
SYMBOLICALLY.
k) HYDROGRAPHIC MAP – A NAUTICAL MAP
USED AS NAVIGATIONAL AID EITHER ABOVE OR
BELOW SURFACE.
BASIC MAP READING

 MARGINAL INFORMATION – ARE THOSE

PRINTED NOTES OUTSIDE THE PRINTED
DIAGRAM OF MAPS USED AS AN
INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE IN READING MAPS.

1. SHEET NAME – FOUND AT THE UPPER

CENTER MARGIN. A MAP IS NAMED AFTER ITS
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL OR GEOGRAPHIC
FEATURES.
2. SHEET NUMBER – FOUND IN THE UPPER
RIGHT MARGIN AND USED AS REFERENCE
NUMBER ASSIGNED TO EACH MAP.
BASIC MAP READING

3. SERIES NAME AND SCALE – FOUND ON

THE UPPER LEFT MARGIN. A MAP SERIES
USUALLY COMPRISES A GROUP OF SMALLER
MAPS AT SOME SCALE DESIGNED TO COVER
A PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

4. SERIES NUMBER – APPEARS IN THE UPPER

RIGHT MARGIN AND LOWER LEFT MARGIN.

5. EDITION NUMBER – IS FOUND IN THE

UPPER MARGIN AND IN THE LOWER MARGIN,
REPRESENTING THE AGE OF THE MAP.
BASIC MAP READING

6. BAR SCALE – LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF

THE LOWER MARGIN AND IN THE LOWER
MARGIN USE FOR DETERMINATION OF MAP
DISTANCE TO THE CORRESPONDING GROUND
DISTANCE WITH THREE DIFFERENT UNITS OF
MEASURES.
7. CREDIT NOTE – IN LOWER LEFT MARGIN,
PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO LIST THE
PROCEDURES AND REFERENCE, THE METHOD
OF COMPILATION FOR USED BY TECHNICIANS.
8. INDEX TO ADJOINING SHEET – IN LOWER
MARGIN, IT IDENTIFIES THE MAP SHEET
COVERING AREAS AROUND THE AREA
COVERED BY THE MAP YOU ARE USING.
BASIC MAP READING
8. INDEX TO ADJOINING SHEET – IN LOWER
MARGIN, IT IDENTIFIES THE MAP SHEET
COVERING AREAS AROUND THE AREA
COVERED BY THE MAP YOU ARE USING.

9. INDEX TO BOUNDARIES DIAGRAMS – IN

LOWER MARGIN, THIS IS A MINIATURE MAP
THAT SHOWS THE BOUNDARIES AND SPECIAL
SHOW LINE THAT OCCURS WITHIN THE MAP
AREA.

10. PROJECTION NOTE – IN LOWER MARGIN,

IT INDICATE THE METHOD USE TO PORTRAY
THE MAP AREA.
BASIC MAP READING
11. GRID NOTE – IN THE CENTER LOWER
MARGIN, IT GIVES INFORMATION PERTAINING TO
THE GRID SYSTEM USED, THE INITIAL
GUIDELINES AND THE NUMBER OF DIGIT
OMITTED FROM GRID VALUES.

12. GRID REFERENCE BOX - USUALLY LOCATED AT

THE CENTER OF THE LOWER MARGIN. IT
CONTAINS INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE
GRID ZONE DESIGNATION AND 100,00 METERS
SQUARE IDENTIFICATION.

13. HORIZONTAL DATUM NOTE - LOCATED AT THE

CENTER OF THE LOWER MARGIN AND
DEFINED AS GEODETIC REFERENCE POINT.
BASIC MAP READING

14. LEGEND - AT THE LOWER LEFT MARGIN,

ILLUSTRATES IDENTIFIES THE TOPOGRAPHIC
SYMBOLS USED TO DEPICT SOME OF THE
PROMINENT FEATURES ON THE MAP.

15. DECLINATION DIAGRAM - LOCATED IN HE

CENTER LOWER MARGIN AND INDICATES THE
RELATIONSHIPS OF TRUE NORTH AND
MAGNETIC NORTH.

16. PROTRACTOR SCALE – IN UPPER

MARGIN, USE FOR LAYING OUT A MAGNETIC
NORTH LINE ON THE MAP.
BASIC MAP READING
17. USER NOTE – LOCATED IN THE LOWER
MARGIN USE FOR CONNECTIONS AND ERRORS
ON THE MAP.

18. UNIT IMPRINT - AT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE

LOWER MARGIN, IT IDENTIFIES THE AGENCY
WHICH PRINTED THE MAPS WITH ITS RESPECTIVE
SYMBOLS.

19. CONTOUR INTERVAL NOTE - LOCATED IN THE

CENTER OF THE LOWER MARGIN. IT STATES THE
VERTICAL DISTANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT
CONTOUR LINES ON THE MAP. WHEN
SUPPLEMENTARY CONTOURS ARE USED THE
INTERVAL IS INDICATED.
BASIC MAP READING
20. COVERAGE DIAGRAM – NORMALLY IN LOWER
MARGIN, IT INDICATES THE METHODS BY WHICH
THE MAP WAS MADE, DATES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
AND OTHER SOURCES MATERIAL.

21. GRAPHIC SCALE - A RULER USED TO

CONVERT MAP DISTANCE TO GROUND DISTANCE
WITHOUT GOING THROUGH MATHEMATICAL
COMPUTATIONS.

22. CONTOUR INTERVAL – THE CONTOUR

INTERVAL STATES THE VERTICAL DISTANCE
BETWEEN ADJACENT CONTOUR LINES ON THE
MAP. WHEN SUPPLEMENTARY CONTOUR ARE
USED THE INTERVALS IS INDICATED.
BASIC MAP READING

23. VERTICAL DATUM NOTE – IT

DESIGNATES THE BASIS FOR ALL VERTICAL
CONTROL STATIONS, CONTOURS AND
ELEVATION APPEARING IN THE MAP.
BASIC MAP READING
 MAP SYMBOL –SIGN COMPOSED OF A
DIAGRAM NUMBER, LETTERS, ABBREVIATION,
COLOR OR COMBINATION THEREOF, WHICH IS
USED TO IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH A
PARTICULAR PLACE OF AREA.
A. PURPOSE:
1. TO VISUALIZE AN AREA OF THE EARTH
SURFACE WITH PERTINENT FEATURE
PLANNING.
2. TO REPRESENT THE NATURAL AND
MANMADE FEATURE.
B. CLASSIFICATION:
1. TOPOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS – ARE STANDARD
DRAWING OF MAP FEATURES AND ORGANIZED
BY THEIR COLORS.
BASIC MAP READING

TOPOGRAPHIC COLORS:

BLACK – ALL MANMADE FEATURES, SUCH AS

BUILDINGS, ROADS NOT SHOWN IN RED, ETC.
BLUE – ALL WATER FEATURES, SUCH AS
LAKES, RIVERS, SWAMPS, STREAMS, ETC.
BROWN – ALL LAND FORMS, SUCH
CONTOURS, CUTS, FILLS, ETC.
GREEN – ALL VEGETATION, SUCH AS FOREST,
ORCHID, HIDE GRASS, JUNGLES, ETC.
RED – MAIN ROADS, BUILT-UP AREAS, AND
SPECIAL INFO.
BASIC MAP READING
2. MILITARY SYMBOLS – A SYMBOL USED BY
THE MAP USER WHEN HE WANTS TO SHOW THE
DISPOSITION OF TROOPS AND OVERLAYING OF
MILITARY INSTALLATION.
A. MILITARY COLORS:
1) BLUE – ALL FRIENDLY FORCES,
INSTALLATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND FIREPOWER.
2) RED – ALL ENEMY FORCES, INSTALLATION
AND ACTIVITIES (DOUBLE LINES MEANS ENEMY).
3) YELLOW – SHOWS GRASSED OR
CONTAMINATED AREAS MAYBE THE RESULT OF
EITHER FRIENDLY OR ENEMY ACTIONS.
4) GREEN – INDICATES FRIENDLY OR
ENEMY DEMOLITION, MINEFIELD AND MANMADE
OBSTACLES.
BASIC MAP READING

B. TYPES OF MILITARY SYMBOLS:

1) TROOPS UNIT SYMBOLS – ARE

SHOWN BY RECTANGLE. (BASIC SYMBOLS
FOR MILITARY UNIT AND ACTIVITIES).
2) BRANCH ARM OF SERVICE AND TYPE
– ORGANIZATION SYMBOL – USED IN
CONJUNCTION EITHER OTHER SYMBOLS TO
SIGNIFY A MILITARY UNIT ACTIVITY OR
INSTALLATION.

3) SIZE OF UNIT – USED TO IDENTIFY

THE SIZE OF A UNIT OR INSTALLATION.
BASIC MAP READING

GRIDS AND COORDINATES:

GRIDS - ARE PARALLEL LINES FROM

EAST TO WEST, NORTH OR SOUTH THAT
FORMS A SQUARE USED AS A REFERENCE
SYSTEM TO HELP THE MAP READER LOCATE
AREAS QUICKLY.

COORDINATES - ARE THE NUMBERED

GRID LINES ON THE MAP AND ARE FURTHER
SUBDIVIDED TO SHOW SPECIFIED LOCATION.
BASIC MAP READING
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES – THE
LOCATION OF ANY POINT OF THE EARTH
SURFACE MAYBE GIVEN BY STATING INTO ITS
DISTANCE NORTH OR SOUTH OF THE
EQUATOR (LATITUDE) AND EAST OR WEST OF
PRIME MERIDIAN (LONGTITUDE).

POLAR COORDINATES – ON THE MAP

MAYBE DETERMINED OR PLOTTED FROM A
KNOWN POINT BY GIVING A DISTANCE ALONG
THAT DIRECTION.
BASIC MAP READING
GRID COORDINATES - THE MILITARY
GRID SYSTEM DIVIDES THE EARTH SURFACE
INTO MANY 100,000 METER SQUARES. EACH
OF THESE SQUARES ARE FURTHER
SUBDIVIDED INTO 1,000 METER SQUARES.
THE 1,000 METER SQUARES IS THE BASIS OF
THE MILITARY GRID SYSTEM WHICH IS USED
IN READING MILITARY MAP.

GRID SQUARE - CAN BE LOCATED OR

IDENTIFIED BY COMBINING THE NUMBER OF
THE VERTICAL GRID LINE AND HORIZONTAL
GRID LINE WHICH INTERSECT AT THE LOWER
LEFT CORNER OF THE SQUARE.
BASIC MAP READING
CHARACTERISTICS OF GRIDS:
- DOES NOT REQUIRES KNOWLEDGE OF
THE AREA
- APPLIED TO LARGE AREAS
- DOES NOT REQUIRES LAND MARKS
- APPLIES TO ALL MAP SCALES

LOCATING POINTS WITHIN A GRID

SQUARES:
- 4 DIGITS NEAREST TO 1,000 METERS
- 6 DIGITS NEAREST TO 100 METERS
- 8 DIGITS NEAREST TO 10 METERS
- 10 DIGITS NEAREST TO 1 METER
 BASIC MAP READING

RULE IN DETERMINING GRID COORDINATE –

“READ RIGHT UP”
GRID COORDINATES (GC) – NEAREST TO 10 MTRS
(8DIGITS)
GC – 17320170 GC – 19140252
GC – 02385578 GC – 89052564

GRID COORDINATES (GC) – NEAREST TO 1 METER

(10 DIGITS)
GC – 1732301702 GC – 1914102520
GC – 0238855780 GC – 8905725642
BASIC MAP READING

GRAPHIC (BAR) SCALE – IS THE MOST

ACCURATE MEANS OF MEASURING DISTANCE
ON A MAP. IT IS THE RULER PRINTED ON THE
MAP ON WHICH DISTANCES ON THE MAP MAY
BE MEASURED AS ACTUAL GROUND DISTANCE.

GRAPHIC SCALE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO (2)

PARTS:
1. PRIMARY SCALE – DISTANCE FROM ZERO
MARK TO THE RIGHT.
2. SCALE EXTENSION – FROM THE ZERO
MARK TO THE LEFT. THIS IS DIVIDED INTO TEN
(10) EQUAL PARTS TO ENABLE MORE ACCURATE
MEASUREMENTS.
 BASIC MAP READING

DIRECTIONS:

METHODS OF EXPRESSING DIRECTIONS ARE:

DEGREES = 360 DEGREES(1) ONE CIRCLE
MIILS = 6,400 MIILS (1) ONE CIRCLE
GRAD = 400 GRADS (1) ONE CIRCLE
360 DEGREES = 6,400 MILS
1 DEGREE = 17.8 MILS
90 DEGREES = 100 GRADS
1 DEGREE = 60 MINUTES
1 MINUTE = 60 SECONDS
1 CLICK IN COMPASS= 3 DEGREES
BASIC MAP READING
THREE (3) BASIC LINES
1.TRUE NORTH = ALWAYS CONSTANT
2. MAGNETIC NORTH=WHEN WORKING WITH A
COMPASS
3. GRID NORTH = WHEN WORKING WITH A MIL MAP

ELEVATION AND RELIEF:

A. DEFINITION:
1. ELEVATION – THE HEIGHT (VERTICAL DISTANCE) OF
AN OBJECT ABOVE OR BELOW A DATUM PLANE.
2. DATUM PLANE – A REFERENCE FROM WHICH
MEASUREMENT MAYBE TAKEN. THIS DATUM PLANE FOR
MOST MAPS IS AVERAGE SEA LEVEL.
3. RELIEF – THE CONFIGURATION (SHAPE) OF THE
GROUND
BASIC MAP READING
TYPES OF CONTOUR:

A. INDEX CONTOUR – EVERY FIFTH

CONTOUR LINE IS AN INCHES LINE AND IS
INDICATED BY HEAVIER BROWN LINE.

B. INTERMEDIATE CONTOUR – ARE THE

FOUR LIGHTER CONTOUR LINES DRAWN
BETWEEN THE INDEX CONTOURS.

C. SUPPLEMENTARY CONTOUR –
REPRESENTS HALF INTERVALS BETWEEN
INTERMEDIATE CONTOURS AND IS
SHOWN BY BROWN LINES.
BASIC MAP READING

D. DEPRESSION CONTOUR – AN AREA THAT

IS LOWER IN ELEVATION THAT ALL THE
SURROUNDINGS TERRAIN IS INDICATED
TICK MARKS POINTING DOWN SLOPE.

E. APPROXIMATE CONTOUR - ARE BROKEN

LINES OF THE SAME THICKNESS AND
TYPE AS THE CONTOUR REPLAYED.
BASIC MAP READING

 CONTOUR LINES TO IDENTIFY GROUND FORMS:

A. HILLS –SERIES OF CONCENTRIC CONTOUR

LINES WHICH GRADUALLY GROW SMALLER,
ENDING WITH A SMALL CLOSED CONTOUR
LINE IN THE CENTER.

B. PEAKS OF HILL TOPS – A SMALL CLOSED,

RELATIVELY CIRCULAR CONTOUR AT THE
CENTER OF THE SERIES OF CONCENTRIC
CONTOUR LINE.

C. RIDGES – SERIES OF CONNECTING PEAK OR A

VALLEY FLOOR.
BASIC MAP READING

D. SADDLES – IS A LOW POINT BETWEEN

TWO PEAKS ALONG THE CREST OF A
RIDGES.

E. SPUR –THAT FORM A SERIES OF

SUCCESSIVE ROUNDED U SHAPES.

F. CLIFF C – LINES THAT FORM A SERIES OF

SUCCESSIVE V-SHAPE, A STREAM
COURSE THAT NEITHER HAS NOR
DEVELOPED A VALLEY FLOOR.
BASIC MAP READING

TWO TYPES OF AZIMUTH

A) FORWARD AZIMUTH
B) BACK AZIMUTH
PROCEDURE ON HOW TO GET THE BACK AZIMUTH
WHEN THE FA IS LESS THAN 180 DEGREES, ADD 180
DEGREES
EX: FA = 75 DEGREES
75 DEGREES + 180 DEG = 255 DEG BA

WHEN THE FA IS MORE THAN 180 DEG, LESS 180 DEG

EX: FA = 245 DEGREES
245 DEGREES - 180 DEG =65 DEG BA

WHEN FA IS 180 DEG EITHER ADD OR LESS 180 DEG.

BASIC MAP READING
BEARING – express a direction as an angle
measured east or west from a north deference.
Bearing cannot exceed 90 degrees or one
quarter of a circle. One quarter of a circle is
known as quadrant.
THE COMPASS AND ITS USES:
THE MAGNETIC COMPASS IS THE MOST
COMMONLY USED AND SIMPLEST
INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING DIRECTION
AND ANGLES IN THE FIELD.

TWO VARIETIES :
a. LENSATIC COMPASS
b. ARTILLERY COMPASS
BASIC MAP READING

CARE AND USE OF COMPASS:

1. HANDLE THE COMPASS WITH CARE.

THE DIAL IS SET AT A DELICATE BALANCE
AND A SHOCK COULD DAMAGE.
2. CLOSE AND RETURN THE COMPASS TO
ITS SPECIAL CONTAINER WHEN NOT IN USE.
3. WHEN THE COMPASS IS USED IN THE
DARK, AN INITIAL AZIMUTH SHOULD BE SET
4. COMPASS READING SHOULD NEVER
BE TAKEN NEAR VISIBLE MASSES OF IRON
OR ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
BASIC MAP READING

PARTS OF LENSATIC COMPASS

1. LUMINOUS DOT 10. EYE PIECE

2. COVER 11. HOLDING RING
3. FRONT SIGHT (HAIR LINE) 12. 90 DEGREES DOT
4. DIAL 13. 180 DEGREES DOT
5. STATIONARY INDEX 14. 270 DEGREES DOT
6. MOVABLE BRASS RIM 15. MOVABLE CRYSTAL
7. SCALE 16. RIM HOLDER
a. LONG LUMINOUS LINE
b. 45 DEGREES LUMINOUS LINE
8. REAR SIGHT
9. LENS
BASIC MAP READING

Lensatic Compass
BASIC MAP READING
Proper way of sighting the lensatic compass
BASIC MAP READING

HOW TO ORIENT THE MAP

A. BY THE USE OF THE LENSATIC

COMPASS
B. BY INSPECTION
C. BY INTERSECTION
BASIC MAP READING
BASIC MAP READING
A. MAP AND COMPASS:
1. Orient the map using compass.
2. Locate two or three unknown positions on the
ground and mark them on the map.
3. Measure the magnetic azimuth to a known
position; convert to grid azimuth.
4. Change the grid azimuth to a back azimuth and
draw a line on the map from the known position
back toward your unknown position.
5. Repeat (3) and (4) above for a second known
position.
6. For a check on your accuracy, repeat (3) and
(4) above for a third known position.
7. The intersection of the lines is your position.
 BASIC MAP READING

B. STRAIGHT EDGE METHOD: (no compass is available)

1. Orient the map on a flat surface by the inspection method.

2. Locate two or three known position on the ground and mark

them on the map.
3. Lay straight edge on the map as a center of the straight
edge at a known position pivot point and rotate the straight
edge until the known position on the map is aligned with the
known position on the ground.
4. Draw a line along the straight edge until the known position
on the ground towards your position.
5. Repeat (3) above using a second known position and as a
check on your accuracy repeat (3) above using a third known
position.
BASIC MAP READING
BASIC MAP READING

 CONTOUR LINE

A CONTOUR LINE - IS A LINE

REPRESENTING AN IMAGINARY LINE ON
THE GROUND ALONG WHICH ALL
POINTS ARE AT THE SAME ELEVATION.
- IT INDICATE A VERTICAL
DISTANCE ABOVE OR BELOW A DATUM
PLANE. STARTING AT SEA LEVEL.
BASIC MAP READING
MAJOR RELIEF INFORMATION
 1. HILL – A POINT OR SMALL AREA OF HIGH
GROUND. WHEN YOU ARE LOCATED ON A
HILLTOP, THE GROUND SLOPES DOWN IN
ALL DIRECTION.

2. VALLEY – A STREAM COURSE WHICH HAS

AT LEAST A LIMITED EXTENT OF
REASONABLY LEVEL GROUND BORDERED
ON THE SIDES BY HIGHER GROUND.

3. RIDGE – A LINE ON HIGH GROUNDS, WITH

NORMALLY MINOR VARIATION ALONG IT.
BASIC MAP READING
4. SPUR – A USUALLY SHORT,
CONTINUOUSLY SLOPING LINE OF HIGHER
GROUND NORMALLY JUTTING OUT FROM
THE SIDE OF A RIDGE.

5. SADDLE – A DIP OR LOW POINT ALONG

THE CREST OF A RIDGE. A SADDLE IS NOT
NECESSARILY THE LOWER GROUND
BETWEEN TWO HILLTOPS.

6. DEPRESSION – A LOW POINT OR

SINKHOLE, SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY
HIGHER GROUNDS.
BASIC MAP READING

7. CUTS AND FILLS – MAN MADE FEATURES

BY WHICH THE BED OF A ROAD OR A
RAILROAD IS GRADED OR LEVELED.

8. CLIFF – A VERTICAL OF NEAR VERTICAL

SLOPE. WHEN A SLOPE IS SO STEEP THAT
IT CANNOT BE SHOWN AT THE CONTOUR
INTERVAL THE TICKS ALWAYS POINT
TOWARDS LOWER GROUND.
BASIC MAP READING
END OF LECTURE

[email protected]
Sundalong guro FB page