GIS5007 Module 6: Isarithmic Mapping
We're nearing the finish line of the Cartography course. It always shocks me how fast it goes, but here we are at Module 6 on Isarithmic Mapping. Isarithmic mapping is all about depicting 3D spatial data in a 2D space. In this lab, we focused on continuous and hypsometric maps of Washington state's annual precipitation from 1981 to 2010. Continuous tone maps emphasize smooth color gradations to represent the data, while hypsometric tints are more distinct, with clear groupings of data range values. Because of this, hypsometric is technically less precise than continuous in depicting the data since it represents values in ranges. So, depending on the size of the area you wish to cover and your mapping needs, continuous tone or hypsometric tint may be better suited. For instance, if I needed a general, easily readable map of trends, I'd rely on hypsometric maps. However, if I needed precise pixel values, I'd stick to continuous-tone maps for data fidelity. As you can see...