Saturday, September 24, 2022

Geographical Instruments

Instruments and their salient characteristics

1.    Theodolite: Angular measurement with the help of vernier scale; both horizontal and vertical angles are taken; helps in the measurement of the height of high-altitude mountains.

2.    Clinometers: A handy instrument used for the measurement of the height of the buildings and similar low altitude heights.

3.    Dumphy level: Helpful in the determination of spot height

4.    Pantograph, Echograph (for smaller area) and Camera Lucida: Used for enlargement and the reduction of the area.

5.    Planimeter: Area determination

6.    Barometer: Air pressure measurement

7.    Aneroid meter: Air pressure measurement; this instrument does not contain mercury

8.    Barograph: Air pressure measurement

9.    Anemometer: Wind velocity measurement

10. Dry and wet bulb thermometer: Relative humidity

11. Ran gauge: Rainfall measurement

12. Chain: Used for horizontal measurement

13. Tape: Used for short distance measurement

14.Ranging rod: Helps in locating objects

15. Optical square: Used for setting right angles for the measurement of short distance from the chain

16.Spirit level: Used for levelling of instruments

17. Trough compass: Magnetic north is directed

18. Guntur’s chain: A chain having length of 66 feet or 20 metres

19. Engineer’s chain: A chain having length of 100 feet or 30 metres

20. Steel tape or Invar tape: Used for the measurement of base line in geodetic survey or a survey considering the curvature of the earth

21. Prismatic compass: Used for closed traverse survey; angular recording is taken from magnetic north

22.Plane table: An instrument used for detailed survey; entire work is completed in the field

23. Alidade: A sighting rule used with plain table for the alignment of the objects

24. Pluviograph: Rainfall measurement instrument, better than rain gauge

25. Wind vane: Wind direction is indicated

26. Anemograph: Wind velocity measurement

27. Hygrograph: Relative humidity measurement; better than dry and wet bulb thermometer

28. Levelling staff: Used with Dumphy Level, gives reading up to 100th part of a metre or foot for showing ups and downs

29. Plumb bob: Used for the centering of the instrument

30. Opisometer: Measurement of distance on a map

31. Nanometer: Pressure measurement

32. Pyrometer: Measurement of invisible as well as indirect radiation

33. Sextant: Measurement of altitude, mostly used in navigation

34. Cyanometer: Measurement of blueness of the sky

35. Actinometer: Measurement of radiation


Lines in geographical map

1.    Isohypes: Lines of equal elevation or contours

2.    Isogons: Lines of equal magnetic declinations

3.    Isohyets: Lines joining points of equal rainfall

4.    Isobath: Lines of equal depth below the sea level

5.    Isoneph: Lines of equal cloudiness

6.    Isoniph: Lines of equal snow

7.    Isorymes: Lines of equal frost

8.    Isophene: Lines of equal seasonal phenomenon, like flowering dates of plants

9.    Isodapan: Lines of equal transportation cost distance

10. Isleabars: Lines of equal pressure difference

11. Isocline: Lines of equal slop

12. Isobronts: Lines showing places having thunderstorms at the same time

13. Isochromes: Lines of equal wind factor

14. Isochrones: Lines showing places located at equal travel time from a point

Graphs of geography

1.    Climograph: It shows variation of mean monthly temperature and relative humidity of over a period of a year for any weather station

2.    Hydrograph: It shows the relationship between stream discharge and precipitation at a place

3.    Ergograph: It shows the relationship between climate and the growing season of crops

4.    Hythergraph: It shows temperature and rainfall at a particular station

5.    Windrose: It shows the frequency and directions of winds at a particular place.

(Based on my notes of Prof RB Singh's lecture)

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