A "Color Landform Atlas of the United States" is available from the Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory Ocean Remote Sensing Group.

• The relief map of Maine at right (>>>) was created from existing elevation data.
• Another name for the physical elevation features shown is "topography."
• For these maps, computer software was used to make things easier to see. Such computer-generated enhancements are called "visualization techniques."
  • In this image, two "visualization" techniques are used to make the topography easier to see:
    1. Color-coding of different elevations
    2. "False" shading -- or computer-generated shadows
• Satellite images are available that show vegetation patterns for each U.S. state are also available from the "Color Landform Atlas of the United States" website.

1. Click on the topography map above to see a larger version.
• Look at the shading -- or false shadows -- on this map.
  • From what direction is the map being illuminated? (In other words, from what direction is the "false" light source coming?)
  • Is this consistent with the direction that natural sunlight might shine?
• Examine the relationship between colors and elevation.
• Use either the map of Maine provided or access the "Color Landform Atlas of the United States" website to choose any state.
• What color represents the near-sea-level elevations?
• What color represents your chosen state's higher landforms?
• What is the (approximate) elevation of this point?
  • Click here to see the scale for the Maine topography map.
    • Does this scale provide enough information to know the exact height of Maine's highest point?
  • Note that the color-coded scale for Maine's topography generally follows the color spectrum of the rainbow: (HIGHEST) Magenta => Red => Orange => Yellow => Green (LOWEST).
    • Print the Maine topograpy map in black-and-white. Choose a small subset of the state that has a wide range of elevtion change. With the color version of the map as a guide, color the black-and-white print with SUBSTITUTE colors as follows:
      • Magenta becomes Red
      • Red becomes Green
      • Orange becomes Yellow
      • Yellow becomes Magenta
      • Green becomes Orange
        • Is the color-coding of this map as easy to interpret as the original one?
2. Consider how your chosen state's overall elevation range (variation from lowest to highest) compares to a few other states.
   • How do you think its elevation range compares to that of:
     • Texas? (In other words, is your chosen state's elevation range greater than, less than, or about equal to that of Texas?)
     • Rhode Island?
     • Hawaii?
     • Kansas?
     • Alaska?
     • Other states that the students have visited?
       • Go to the Color Landform Atlas of the United States website and check your answers.
       • For each state you investigate at this website, also compare the "on-line maps" vegetation patterns to topography.
         • Do you think that a state's elevation range has an affect on its vegetation patterns?
           • If so, how?
         • What about its weather patterns?
           • Click here to see a movie about one way elevation can affect weather: by "orographic precipitation."
3. Which do you think is shows more variation -- or change -- from sea level:

• Mt. Everest (highest land elevation) or the Mariana Trench (deepest ocean trench)?

  • Why did you choose this feature?
• Click here to see a color-coded map with arrows that point to Mt. Everest and the Mariana Trench.
  • Does this help you to answer the question?Why or why not?
  • [If you need more help discovering which of these features has more variation from sea level, you may want to check an atlas or world almanac.] To learn more about topography of the sea floor, go to the "Bathymetry" section.