All of the topographic maps on TopoZone are displayed and printed with true north up. If you are using a compass in the field to navigate using a topo map you’ll need to know the “declination” of magnetic north (where your compass will point) and true north (straight up on printed topo maps). Knowing the […]
All of the points of interest pages on TopoZone have coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the information section below the topo map. For example, see the “Coordinates” under the topo map of Hex Mountain. Those coordinates can be entered into a GPS as a destination waypoint. TopoZone uses the WGS84 datum and most GPS units […]
The feature types on TopoZone are used to categorize all of the points of interest in our database. These feature types come from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and are far from perfect. You’ll notice in the list below that there is some overlap of points of interest that fall under different categories. In […]
Topographic maps are complicated to say the least. They have a lot going on with different colors, lines, and labels all over the place. The land survey information is a good example. While most topo map users aren’t trying to read the township, range, and section information, it is still on the maps. Another example […]
The topographic maps on TopoZone were created by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and have evolved for more than a century. Over time the maps became more detailed and new symbols were added for the different terrain, natural features, land boundaries, and man-made structures depicted by the surveyors. This legend is now a complex […]
Hell is metaphorically described as a horrific location underground. And while we know this isn’t true, areas underground are dark and eerie enough to seem hellish (but much colder!). The photo above is of Mirror Pond in Luray Caverns which resembles some artists’ depictions of mythical hell. Crystal Cave If you’ve ever been inside a cavern, you know […]
Impact craters are created when an object flying through space impacts the surface of a larger body (a planet or moon). The Moon, which has almost no atmosphere, is covered with impact craters so large and well-preserved that they are visible from Earth. Our planet has few that are easy to see from the surface […]
Lava tubes are a type of cave created by molten volcanic lava. For that reason these caves are found in areas of past or present volcanism. Hawaii has many lava tubes to explore as it’s one of the most active volcanic lands on the planet. The western states, which have hundreds of volcanoes and cinder […]
Before heading out to explore a cave or lava tube, make sure you have all you’ll need at the car and with you for the trip. This packing list is for a day-trip that is not steep or technical (no ropes needed). A light source and backup lights (headlamps are best to avoid head injuries) […]
Trees often live longer than us humans, but the oldest individual living trees on the planet currently are just several thousand years old. The oldest species in the US are hardy Great Basin bristlecone pines located in and around Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the California White Mountains and giant sequoias located in Sequoia National Park. If […]