Measuring Height of a Vertical Slope

Height is an important aspect of many landforms and cultural features

 

Possible uses: The height of cliffs, waterfalls, u-shaped valleys, drumlins and buildings can be measured to provide surveys of physical and cultural features

Equipment: Measuring tape, clinometer, recording sheet, pencil, graph paper,protractor, ruler

Technique – Height of a Vertical Slope Such as a Cliff

• Stand in front of the cliff and measure the angle to the top of the cliff using the clinometer
• If the angle is <45° move closer to the cliff until the angle = 45 °
• If the initial angle measured is > 45° then move away from the cliff until the angle = 45 °
• Measure the distance from where you are standing to the base of the cliff (A in the diagram)
• Record this distance on the accompanying sheet
• Measure the height of the person from eye level to the ground (B)
• Record this distance in the appropriate place on the recording sheet
• Add the two distances together

• This measurement is equal to the height of the cliff