Basic Cartography The Finishing Components Are we done yet? – We have an excellent representation of a cave now But it doesn’t look finished – it still

Basic Cartography The Finishing Components

Are we done yet? – We have an excellent representation of a cave now

But it doesn’t look finished – it still doesn’t look like a map that we can share!

We are still missing vital components!


Like the scale and the North arrow


A title block, survey information, outer box


A key, vertical control


And even color!


All told – these are the extra components that change a ‘drawing’ of cave passage into into a cave map…

These are important to make the map usable, understandable and appealing!

Lets take a closer look at these components and what they should entail…


Lets Talk about Map ComponentsWe will use the Judging sheet as a guideline, not because all maps can or will be judged, but because it is a good reference for making good looking and usable maps.

The closer we can follow these recommendations the more the map will stand out as a quality work


Cave Map Required Components:

1) Cave NameSeems Obvious, but there are some rules!- No Abbreviations- Location information (usually County and State)- Graphical hierarchy (should not be too big or small, but

should stand out)- Font sizes should emphasize Name - Cave names are usually not underlined




2) EntranceWe need to know where the entrance is – in larger caves this is harder then you may expect, especially to those unfamiliar to the cave

- Clearly marked- Stand out- If the map is just a section of the cave, then the

connection to the rest of the cave should be clearly marked- Entrances should be marked with drip line symbol




3) North ArrowAll maps need a North Arrow!

- Clearly marked as to Magnetic or true North. - If Magnetic is used, a declination should be provided and

dated- If possible, both a true and Magnetic north arrow can be

displayed- Should be long enough to scale off of- Not too ornate- Best if it points in an ordinal direction of the paper the

map is on (up, down, left or right)




4) ScaleAll maps need to have some kind of scale so that we know how large the cave is, how big the passages, and so on…

- Should be a Bar scale of some type- Scaled measurements such as 1”= 50’ should be avoided.

As the maps are reproduced these can lose their meaning- Units should be included, 2 bars (Metric, English) can be

shown if desired- Not too ornate nor should it overpower- Should be rational to the size of the map




5) Vertical ControlVertical Control is necessary to show the vertical extent of the cave – due to the 2-dimentional nature of paper maps, ,this is the most difficult to visualize, and thus MUST be added in some way to make the map useable

This seems obvious, but is one of the MOST forgotten component, and will often disqualify maps in competition

There are two widely used methods:



5) Vertical Control (Cont.) Vertical Symbols

- Numerical symbols on the plan view denoting distance above or below a

certain spot (usually the entrance) called the Datum- Datum MUST be labeled- Units must be shared- All vertical extent and changes should be shown, such as

pits, ledges, ceiling heights, water depth - Symbols should be shared in Keys- Can use place outside the map and use leader lines to

show location of control, or place within map




5) Vertical Control (Cont.) Profile

- Usually shows a profile view of the cave- Should include a Vertical Bar with ‘easy’ to read divisions

- Units must be shared- Type of profile should be shared (projected, idealized….)




5) Vertical Control (Cont.)Other types of vertical control are acceptable as long as they are clearly explained and serve the purpose of determining the vertical run of the cave




6) DATA!!Several Pieces of data MUST be included to finish out the map:

- Date of the survey- Cartographer- Survey group or Project- Class (type) Of survey

Additionally there are several other pieces of data that can be shared to help the understanding of the map

- Length, depth- Survey crew- Historical notes



Cave Map Required (?) Components:

7) Symbol InformationSymbols used in the map should be explained. Some groups use standard symbols and do not add a legend. This is fine as long as the symbol set used is standard and shared (NSS, MSS ect)

However most cartographers add a legend (or key) to the map to explain what the symbols used mean. This is a great way to add more visual impact to the map but does come with some rules:

- Every symbol should be detailed- Should be clear, easy to understand, and not crammed or

cluttered



Cave Map Required (?) Components:

8) Cross SectionsWho doesn’t love cross sections?. Cross sections should be used liberally to explain what the passage is doing. However it can be a complex dilemma to get as much detail in without cluttering the map.Likewise, complex cross sections can add a lot to the map if done well.Cross sections should:

- either be scaled the same as the plan, or clearly called out as different

- Should have tic lines showing where they are being drawn in the cave

- Tic Lines should not contact map or cross section- Should show direction sketcher is facing when drawing

and up direction- Detail in cross section should match plan- Avoid gutless cross sections, don’t miss the complex

areas!- Adding bedrock symbols can help cross sections stand out- Can be drawn Separate from plan – but must be located

with labels



We have talked quite a bit about the components that make up a good map.

But anyone will tell you that a map is more then its components, it is the quality of those components and how they are laid out!

Warning - quality is in the eye of the beholder, the following is subjective and highly opinionated


Cave Map Quality:1) Drafting Quality

Its All about the Map!

Without a quality representation of the details of the cave, everything else is icing on a poop cake!

- Depends on the quality of the survey notes, You will become a better

surveyor after drawing your first few maps. Work with your surveyors to

maintain a level of detail- Represent the cave as it really is, try to stay away from

formalized representations- Take your time to add the details- However, especially with computer aided drafting, it is

easy to add to much detail. Zoom out to presentation level and check that

your detail is not too dense. Remove some detail if necessary


Cave Map Quality:

1) Drafting Quality (cont)- The amount of detail should be consistent trough-out the

map- Floor composition should be called out graphically (or

with notation)- Drafting quality should be consistent and good with no

gaps, blobs, smudges, or the computer equivalent- Print quality should be good too! A badly printed good

map, is still a bad map


Detail too dense

Detail Cleaned up

Too little detail


Examples of Better Detail


Cave Map Quality:

2) Line Weight HierarchyThere should be hierarchy used in line weights in the drafting of the details

- Heaviest weight for the walls- Next lighter for geology/ geological details in cave- Lightest for details


Cave Map Quality:

3) Component HierarchyJust like details in the Cave Drawing, other components also share a hierarchy

- most important things should be bolder- Cave Name- Location- North Arrow/ scale- Entrance- Other cave information


Cave Map Quality:

4) Balance and LayoutAll this talk of detail and hierarchy lead up to one thing – it the map useful, and is it ‘pleasing’ to look at?

Good Maps blend detail and usefulness with a good balance and layout so that it is easy to use as well as something ‘more’ then a collection of details

Balance and Layout is hard to talk about – Lets give some examples


Examples


- No Title Hierarchy - Uneven Lettering

- Doesn’t fit on Paper very well – Crammed in - No vertical Control

- Entrance same font as other names - Cave is lost on page

Good

- Good title Hierarchy

- Vertical Control - Too Much information thrown in between profile and map - Once again cave gets lost

Better - Cave draws eye, and stands out

- But still a lot of white space

- Downward facing north arrow?


Even Better - Map fills Page

- Cave stands out

- Vertical Profile


Ribbon Winner

- Color

- Striping

Documents

Basic Cartography The Finishing Components Are we done yet? – We have an excellent representation of a cave now But it doesn’t look finished – it still