What do contour lines on a topographic map represent?

Elevation contours are imaginary lines connecting points having the same elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, which is usually mean sea level. Contours make it possible to show the height and shape of mountains, the depths of the ocean bottom, and the steepness of slopes.

What does lots of contour lines mean?

For example, several contour lines spaced close together would indicate steep terrain, while lines spaced far apart would indicate a gentler slope. There are 3 kinds of contour lines you’ll see on a map: intermediate, index, and supplementary.

How do contour lines indicate a stream?

As a rule of thumb, the V-shaped contour is pointing upstream (the opposite direction from the flow of a stream or river). The “V” shape contours indicate streams and drainage. As you can see, the “V” points uphill to a higher elevation.

How do contour lines indicate streamflow on a topographic map?

All rivers flow downhill from higher to the lower elevations, perpendicular to the contour line above it. As a rule of thumb, the V-shaped contour is pointing upstream (the opposite direction from the flow of a stream or river). The “V” shape contours indicate streams and drainage.

How must contour lines bend on a topographic map to indicate a stream valley?

A contour line that bends to form a V shape indicates a valley. The bend in the V points toward the higher end of the valley; this V points upstream, or in the direction from which the water flows, if there is a stream.

How do contour lines indicate stream flow?

What do contour lines that are uniformly spaced indicate?

Closely spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope (Figure F-1). 2. Widely spaced contour lines indicate a gentle slope (Figure F-2). Evenly spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope (Figure F-2), while irregular spacing indicates an irregular slope (Figure F-1).

Why do contour lines bend upstream?

Rule # 4- Contour lines that cross a valley or stream are V-shaped. Contour lines “point” upstream when they cross a river or stream. The water flows out of the opening of the V or U shape and the closed end points uphill.

How to read a topographic map?

1. Use the thicker contour lines to determine the elevation. Contour lines represent paths or segments of the Earth. Topographic maps are covered in

2. Determine the elevation change by looking at the space between the contour lines. The closer the spaces are between the contour lines,the more

3. Notice how the contour lines slope on the map. The way the contour lines curve can tell you if the path is going to be gentle or steep. A thick

4. Look for flat terrain with a dashed contour line. You may notice dashed lines on the map,which are called supplementary contour lines. This

What do contour lines represent?

A series of concentric contour lines that are closed onto themselves indicate mountains or hills.

Depression contours show where the land goes into a depression or an indentation on the Earth.

The lines get closer to each other as the slope gets steeper.

If the area has a gentle gradient,the contour lines are more spread out.

What are 3 types of contour lines?

But some digital map databases do have the locations of these lines recorded, in case they are needed for 3-dimensional modelling. Depression contours, obscured contours, form lines, and hidden contours can all come in index, intermediate, and supplemental versions. So theoretically there are 15 types of contour lines.

What is the definition of contour lines in geography?

Contour line. In cartography, a contour line (often just called a “contour”) joins points of equal elevation (height) above a given level, such as mean sea level. A contour map is a map illustrated with contour lines, for example a topographic map, which thus shows valleys and hills, and the steepness or gentleness of slopes.