What does the declination diagram indicate?

What does the declination diagram indicate?

• A. The rotation of the legend relative to the map
• B. The angular relationship of true north, grid north and magnetic north
• C. The scale of the map
• D. The positions of the grid intersect points

Answer: (B)

The declination diagram shows how the different north references line up in that map area. It displays the angular relationship between true north (geographic north), grid north (the north indicated by the map’s coordinate grid), and magnetic north (where a compass points). This lets you convert bearings from one reference frame to another, which is essential for accurate navigation. For example, if the diagram shows magnetic declination east by 10 degrees, magnetic north is 10 degrees east of true north, so a magnetic bearing must be adjusted by that 10 degrees to reach a true bearing. This diagram isn’t about map scale, grid intersection points, or rotating the legend, so the best description of what it indicates is the angular relationship among true north, grid north, and magnetic north.

The declination diagram shows how the different north references line up in that map area. It displays the angular relationship between true north (geographic north), grid north (the north indicated by the map’s coordinate grid), and magnetic north (where a compass points). This lets you convert bearings from one reference frame to another, which is essential for accurate navigation. For example, if the diagram shows magnetic declination east by 10 degrees, magnetic north is 10 degrees east of true north, so a magnetic bearing must be adjusted by that 10 degrees to reach a true bearing. This diagram isn’t about map scale, grid intersection points, or rotating the legend, so the best description of what it indicates is the angular relationship among true north, grid north, and magnetic north.