COE Navigation & Orienteering 1 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the contour interval on a topographic map represent?
- The distance between two peaks
- The vertical distance between adjacent contour lines (Correct answer)
- The horizontal distance between map features
- The map's representative fraction scale
Correct answer: The vertical distance between adjacent contour lines
The contour interval is the vertical elevation difference between consecutive contour lines on a topographic map.
Question 2: On a topographic map, closely spaced contour lines most likely indicate:
- A flat, open meadow
- A gentle rolling hill
- A steep slope (Correct answer)
- A broad valley floor
Correct answer: A steep slope
Closely spaced contour lines indicate rapid elevation change over a short horizontal distance, representing a steep slope.
Question 3: What is magnetic declination?
- The difference in elevation between two landmarks
- The angle between true north and magnetic north (Correct answer)
- The rate at which a compass needle wobbles
- The bearing to the nearest magnetic anomaly
Correct answer: The angle between true north and magnetic north
Magnetic declination is the angular difference between true (geographic) north and magnetic north, which varies by geographic location and must be accounted for when using a compass with a map.
Question 4: Which USGS map scale provides the greatest level of terrain detail for backcountry navigation?
- 1:250,000
- 1:100,000
- 1:24,000 (Correct answer)
- 1:500,000
Correct answer: 1:24,000
A 1:24,000 scale (7.5-minute quadrangle) provides the most detail, representing 1 unit on the map as 24,000 of the same units on the ground.
Question 5: In navigation, what is a 'baseline'?
- The elevation of the trailhead
- A linear terrain feature used as a navigational reference (Correct answer)
- The shortest path between two waypoints
- The bottom edge of a topographic map sheet
Correct answer: A linear terrain feature used as a navigational reference
A baseline is any linear featureātrail, road, river, or ridgelineāused as a reference that navigators can aim for or follow to locate themselves.
Question 6: On a USGS topographic map, a solid blue line most commonly represents:
- A paved road
- A perennial (year-round) stream or river (Correct answer)
- An intermittent stream
- A state boundary
Correct answer: A perennial (year-round) stream or river
Solid blue lines on USGS topographic maps represent perennial streams that flow year-round, while dashed blue lines indicate intermittent streams.
Question 7: What is an 'attack point' in land navigation?
- The summit used as the final goal of a route
- A prominent feature near the destination used as a final close-range reference (Correct answer)
- The compass bearing taken at the start of a route
- A hazard marked on the map to avoid
Correct answer: A prominent feature near the destination used as a final close-range reference
An attack point is a distinct, easily identifiable feature close to your destination that you navigate to first, then make a precise final approach from.
COE Navigation & Orienteering 1
What does the contour interval on a topographic map represent?