"A critical analysis of some methods of representing relief on map and diagram, as applied to a sample area"

Abstract

In this thesis an attempt is made to examine critically some methods of depicting relief on map and diagram as applied to a sample area. It was found impossible to discuss more than what is hoped to be a representative selection of methods. In particular, techniques involving the use of colour were omitted as it was felt they applied more particularly to scales smaller than that used in this study, and aids such as spot heights and drainage pattern were not included. A very few comparative studies of different methods applied to the same area have been published (Monkhouse and Wilkinson 1952, Imhof 1951) and it is believed that the variety of methods included herein has not been applied to a single area before; the series of maps and diagrams should therefore prove valuable in themselves. The concern of the study is solely for the representation of relief, and practical considerations of balancing relief detail with that of other classes of information will not be considered. Any criticisms of methods refer only to their application to the sample area at the given scale of mapping. This scale was 1:15840 (reduced by a factor of three in photography) so that the two main problems of medium and small scale relief mapping viz. the two dimensional representation of a spheroidal surface, and the sacrifice of accuracy for legibility, do not arise.