You are mapping over four city blocks in an area of complex geology. The maps provided are at a scale of 1:24,000. Is this an appropriate scale and if not what would be better?

• A. No, a better scale would be 1 inch = 100 feet
• B. Yes, 1:24,000 is appropriate
• C. No, a better scale would be 1 inch = 1000 feet
• D. Yes, 1 inch = 50 feet

Answer: (A)

Mapping a small urban area like four city blocks benefits from a larger scale, which gives more detail per unit area. The scale tells you how much ground a unit on the map represents; a 1:24,000 map means one inch (or centimeter) on the map equals about 24,000 inches (roughly 2,000 feet) on the ground. That is good for regional views but tends to hide street-level details, building footprints, and subtle geologic features important in urban geology.

Choosing a larger scale such as 1 inch equals 100 feet (about 1:1,200) provides much more detail while keeping the map reasonably sized. With this scale you can clearly show streets, curb lines, building outlines, and near-surface geologic features that are relevant to planning and mapping in a city block context. The other options either stay too close to the 1:24,000 view or push the map into a size that becomes unwieldy for four blocks, so the 1 inch = 100 feet choice offers the best balance of detail and practicality.