CHART ALTITUDE AS A FUNCTION OF HYPSOMETRIC LAYER TINTS

Erhardt A. Siebert and John E. Dornbach

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	The hypsometric tint as a device for portrayal of topographic relief is based upon a system of generalized elevation layers. Variations of a single color, or tints of specific colors, are used to indicate certain ranges in elevation. Generally speaking, this method is used mostly on smaller scale charts and maps, although the Ordinance Survey of Great Britain uses it on large scale maps, e.g. the 1:63,360 series. Various other terms are used synonymously, e.g. hypsometric shading, hypsographic shading, color or tint layering, color banding, altitude tinting, layer coloring, and gradient tinting. It seems probable that the title "hypsometric map" is derived from the explorer’s use of a hypsometer in determining the heights of mountain summits by observing the boiling point of water. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey suggests the use of the title "hypsographic map" instead of hypsometric, to denote a topographic map on which elevations are referred to a sea-level datum.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 3, Number 8
Pages:	270 - 274
Cite this article:	Siebert, Erhardt A., Dornbach, John E., "CHART ALTITUDE AS A FUNCTION OF HYPSOMETRIC LAYER TINTS", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 3, No. 8, 1953, pp. 270-274.
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