(GIST OF YOJANA) TOPOGRAPHY - September-2017
TOPOGRAPHY
The term 'Topography' is broadly used to describe the detailed study of the
earth's surface. It is about the physical features of an area of land. These
include mountain, valleys, rivers lakes, seas and oceans as well as man made
physical changes like roads, bridges, dams, railway lines and cities.
An objective of topography is to determine the position of any feature such
as latitude, longitude, and altitude. It is closely linked to the practice of
surveying, which is the practice of determining and recording the position of
points in relation to one another. Topographic maps are used by civil engineers,
environmental managers, and urban planners, as well . as by outdoor enthusiasts,
emergency services agencies and historians. A topographic map is a
two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional land surface. With a
combination of contour lines, colours, symbols, labels, and other graphical
representations, topographic maps portray the shapes and locations of natural
and man-made features on the earth surface.
The widely used technique of topography is Direct Survey. In this process
levelling instruments like the odolites are used to measure distances and
angles. It generates the basic data for all topographic mapping, including
digital imaging systems. This information can be used in conjunction with other
systems such as aerial photography or satellite imagery to get a complete
picture of a particular surface or piece of land. Ocean is measured through
Sonar mapping in which a pulse of sound is sent through the water from an
underwater speaker. The
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submarine. These sounds are measured by microphones. The time that the echo
takes to return is proportional to the distance of the reflecting object. This
data allows changes in the underwater terrain to be mapped.
Due to advancement of techniques, now the Global Positioning System (GPS)
backed by a well- established network of navigational satellites allows field
surveyors to determine horizontal positions accurately within a few feet, even
in the most remote terrain where conventional surveying techniques are
impossible. 3-D rendering uses satellite or aerial images to produce a
three-dimensional model using computer software. Aerial photography and
photogrammetry combine photos from different angles and use the process of
triangulation to calculate the location of elements. Other satellites carrying a
variety of sensors may soon replace the aerial photography method of making
maps. This
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opportunities. would significantly reduce the time required to produce or update
maps and would improve the overall accuracy as well.
Courtesy: Yojana
