TOPOGRAPHIC MAP EXERCISES - Norton Quadrangle

Quadrangle Name: NORTON, VIRGINIA
Physiographic Region: APPALACHIAN PLATEAU/RIDGE AND VALLEY

This map is located along the boundary of the Appalachian Plateau to the north and the Ridge and Valley to the south.

  1. Norton is the largest city in the Southwest Virginia coal country. How large a place does it appear to be?
  2. This map was compiled in 1957 and photo-revised with purple overlay in 1969 and 1978. Compare the strip-mined areas marked in brown with those marked in purple; how much has the strip-mining area expanded since 1957?
  3. Notice the highway, electric power lines and two railroads running east-west across the center of the map. What natural feature do they follow?
  4. Notice several railroads on the map used to ship coal out; two in the northwest corner of the map; and one running east-west along the center of the map. What natural features do all these railroads follow?
  5. Why are there no strip mines south of the Powell River? (Hint: remember that this map is located at the meeting point of the Plateau and Ridge and Valley.)
  6. What is the name of the natural area located in the southeast corner of the map?
  7. The highest benchmark on Little Stone Mountain in the south central part of the map is at what elevation?
  8. The majority of strip mines are located in what National Forest? (Note: this is not illegal; mining and logging are allowed in National Forests.)
  9. What river runs north-south along the western part of the map?
  10. In addition to "cove", "gap", and "hollow" are other terms common to Appalachian landscapes. List a number of names of hollows and gaps you can find, particularly near the center of the map.
  11. Another characteristic of Appalachian landscapes is family cemeteries. List the names of at least six you can find on the map.
  12. How deep is the sinkhole along the southern edge of the map (just west of the 42'30" longitude mark)?
  13. Examine the street pattern of Norton. Why do you think the streets near the railroad tracks are rectangular while the streets away from the center of town are often curved?

Virginia Topographic Map Exercises Index
 Answers

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