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Map Projections

The document discusses the various models used to describe the shape of the Earth, including the geoidal, ellipsoidal, and spherical models. It explains that map projections are mathematical transformations that convert the Earth's three-dimensional surface into a two-dimensional representation, which inherently involves some distortion. Additionally, it classifies map projections based on construction methods, preserved properties, and the type of developable surface used.

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shawrri5
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4 views

Map Projections

The document discusses the various models used to describe the shape of the Earth, including the geoidal, ellipsoidal, and spherical models. It explains that map projections are mathematical transformations that convert the Earth's three-dimensional surface into a two-dimensional representation, which inherently involves some distortion. Additionally, it classifies map projections based on construction methods, preserved properties, and the type of developable surface used.

Uploaded by

shawrri5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MAP P RO J EC T I O N S

The earth is almost a sphere with a minor and a major axis.


Minor axis- 12714km
Major axis- 12756km
In most cartographic purposes, the earth is regarded as a solid
sphere without any truly flat or plane surface.
The earth’s surface is completely continuous with no boundaries
which is in contrast to a plane surface.
M O D E L S DE SCRIBING T HE SHAPE O F THE EARTH
There are three models that are used to describe the shape of the
earth.
Geoidal model
Ellipsoidal model
Spherical model.
Geoidal model

 Describes unique and irregular shape of the earth.


The variation in the density of different rock types
and irregularities caused by mountain ranges and
ocean depths affect the gravity of earth.
 Geoid can be perceived as a sea level surface (where
dynamic effects su c h as tides and waves are
excluded) whose irregular shape is attributed to the
earth’s gravity
 No simple surface su c h as sphere or
spheroid/ellipsoid can model the sea level surface
completely so best fit of the spheroid/ellipsoid to the
sea level surface is performed.
The geoid differs from the shape of ellipsoid by upto ± 100 m and
this difference is known as geoid separation or geoid undulation
Elevations and contour lines depicted on maps are measured
with respect to the geoid

Ellipsoidal Model

 Based on an ellipse, rotating an ellipse around the


semi-minor axis creates an ellipsoid.
Latitude, longitude and planar coordinate systems are
determined with respect to the ellipsoid.
 Earth is flattened at poles with a bulge at equator and
this is attributed to the earth’s rotation.
 This model takes into account the Earth's equatorial
bulge and more accurately represents its shape.
 The most widely used ellipsoidal model is the World
Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), which forms the basis
for G P S and most global mapping systems.

Spherical model

The spherical model assumes that the Earth is a perfect sphere,


where all points on the surface are equidistant from the center.
This model provides a simple approximation and is often used for
basic calculations and representations of the Earth's shape on
small scales.
However, the Earth is not a perfect sphere, as it bulges slightly at
the equator and is flattened at the poles.

What is a map projection?


Map projection is defined as the mathematical transformation of
the earth’s 3 dimensional surface to a 2 dimensional surface.
It is the transformation of a spherical earth into a plane surface.
It can also be defined as a systematic transformation of the
latitudes and longitudes of location on a surface of sphere to
locations on a plane.
The Earth is a three-dimensional object, but maps are flat
representations of the Earth's surface.
Map projections help depict the curved Earth on a flat surface,
enabling u s to accurately represent and analyze spatial data.
3

Transformation of the earth’s surface to a flat surface always


involve distortion either in size, shape or relative location and
therefore no map projection is perfect.
All map projections introduce distortions in one or more
properties of the Earth's surface. Distortions can occur in shape,
area, distance, direction, or scale. The choice of map projection
depends on the purpose of the map and the area of the Earth
being depicted.
A single projection system can never account for the correct
representation of all map properties for all the regions of the
world. Therefore, hundreds of projection systems have been
defined for accurate representation of a particular map element
for a particular region of the world.

CLASSIFICATION O F MAP P RO J EC T I O N S
Map projections are classified on the following criteria:

 Method of construction
 Development surface used/plotting surface employed
 Projection properties/ features preserved
 Position of light source

CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECTIONS BASED ON FEATURES PRESERVED


FROM DISTORTION/PROJECTION PROPERTIES

This is classification based on properties preserved by the projection.

According to properties map projections can be classified as:

Equal area projection: Also, known as homolographic projections. The areas of


different parts of earth are correctly preserved but the shape is distorted.

True shape projection: Also, known as orthomorphic projections. The shapes of


different parts of earth are correctly represented on these projections.

True scale or equidistant projections: Projections that maintain correct scale are called
true scale projections. However, no projection can maintain the correct scale throughout.
Correct scale can only be maintained along some parallel or meridian.
CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECTIONS BASED ON DEVELOPABLE SURFACE

There are three types of developable surfaces;

i. Cylinder
ii. Cone
iii. Plane

CONICAL PROJECTION

A conical projection is formed by bringing a cone into contact with the sphere.

By doing this, it is seen to be touching the sphere along a parallel or latitude.

This line is known as the standard parallel of projection.


Different shapes of cone can be selected, all resulting in a
different standard parallel. The choice will depend upon which
region of the earth is to be mapped, an appropriate parallel being
one that passes through the centre of the region.

A conical projection yields straight meridians that converge


towards a single point.
Azimuthal projection

This projection is formed by bringing together the ellipse/sphere


into contact with a plane surface.

It is suited for small circular features on the surface of the


earth.

If the point of contacts is one of the poles then it’s called polar
projection and is used to map polar regions.

Polar projections are formed by taking the meridians off the


sphere and placing them on the plane surface.

The general form of a polar projection will be meridians radiating


from the poles with no distortion of the angle at the centre.

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