Calling all Teachers! Have you ever struggled to explain how a flat map shows the elevation of land features (mountains, canyon, rivers, etc.)? It can be tricky to make those 3D changes clear on a 2D surface. If you're looking for a hands-on, engaging way to help your students visualize these concepts, this lesson is for you! This creative activity transforms the concept of topographic maps into a fun, interactive lesson. Students can build their own topographic model using simple materials and

USGS maps don’t stop at Earth. We’ve charted Mercury, volcanoes and all! 🌋🪐 In 2016, USGS collaborated with NASA, Arizona State University, Carnegie Institution for Science, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to produce the first high-resolution topographic map of Mercury. The map captures the planet’s craters, volcanoes, and tectonic features in remarkable detail. To make this possible, USGS scientists developed advanced software and innovative techniques to process m