EXAMPLE TERRAIN SYMBOL

Information is portrayed on a terrain map by a terrain symbol which is composed of a group of letters. These letters provide information about the character of the terrain and are arranged in a manner such that each letter position represents a particular characteristic of the terrain. Information provided by a terrain symbol includes texture and type of surficial material, surface expression, geomorphologic processes, and qualifiers

Simple Terrain Symbol

TEXTURE (one to three lower case letters) describes the size, roundness and sorting of particles in mineral sediments and the fiber content of organic materials.

QUALIFIERS (up to two superscript upper case letters) are used where appropriate to provide information about surficial materials and geomorphological processes.

SURFICIAL MATERIAL (one upper case letter) is classified according to its mode of deposition.

GEOMORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES(one to three upper case
letters) describes geomorphological processes that are modifying either
surficial material or land forms.

SURFACE EXPRESSION (one to three lower
case letters) describes the form (shape) of the land
surface or the thickness of the surficial material.

This symbol above indicates a glaciofluvial (F^G) terrace (t) composed of sandy gravel (sg) modified by slow downslope failures (F) that are no longer active (I).

Note: Computer-drafted maps may present the superscripts in normal, inline fashion (e.g., FG, FI).
Note: Composite symbols, e.g., Mb/Cv-A, and stratigraphic symbols, e.g.,

, are commonly used. See Terrain Symbols.

View pages of terms listed above:
Texture of Surficial Materials
Qualifiers
Surficial Materials
Geomorphological Processes
Surface Expression

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EXAMPLE TERRAIN SYMBOL

Simple Terrain Symbol

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