V-shaped contour lines indicate
valleys, ravines, or gullies
. Closely-spaced contour lines depict steep slopes. More widely- spaced contour lines indicate gradual slopes.
What is the rule of V’s?
The Rule of V’s is a
visual, qualitative method to determine dip direction by examining the map pattern of the contact between two dipping units as it crosses a stream or a valley
.
What do the V-shaped contour pointing downhill indicate?
What do V-shaped contour lines indicate when they point downhill? It
shows a ridge line
.
When contour lines form a V pattern on a stream the V always points?
When contour lines cross a stream, they form a “V” that always
points uphill
. A saddle is a lower area, often on a ridge, between two areas of higher elevation.
Which point on the map represents a depression?
If there is a low place such as a sinkhole, a crater, or another enclosed area of low elevation, it is called a depression.
The hachure
marks point downslope toward the center of the depression. The image to the right shows how a depression would be represented on a map.
What does it mean when contour lines are far apart?
Contour lines that are further apart indicates
a slope that is relatively flat
. The area of the map above boxed in orange shows an area that has a fairly steep slope, while the area boxed in purple is a relatively flat area.
What is causing the V shape in the topographic layers?
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.
What are the 5 Rules of contour lines?
Rule 1 – every point of a contour line has the same elevation. Rule 2 – contour lines separate uphill from downhill. Rule 3 – contour lines do not touch or cross each other except at a cliff. Rule 4 –
every 5th contour line is darker in color
.
What are Hachure lines?
Hachures are
short lines laid down in a pattern to indicate direction of slope
. When it became feasible to map rough terrain in more detail, hachuring developed into an artistic speciality….
Why can’t two different contour lines cross?
Contour lines never cross on a topographic map
because each line represents the same elevation level of the land
.
What is the rule when a river flows over a contour line?
Water always flows downhill perpendicular to the contour lines
. As one proceeds upstream, successively higher and higher contour lines first parallel then cross the stream. This is because the floor of a river valley rises as you go upstream. Like-wise the valley slopes upward on each side of the stream.
What is the contour interval?
A contour interval is
the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines
. Index contours are bold or thicker lines that appear at every fifth contour line. If the numbers associated with specific contour lines are increasing, the elevation of the terrain is also increasing.
What are the 5 colors on a map?
- RED -Overprinted on primary and secondary roads to highlight them. …
- BLACK -Manmade or cultural features.
- BLUE -Water-related features.
- BROWN -Contour lines and elevation numbers.
- GREEN -Vegetation features.
- WHITE -Sparse or no vegetation. …
- PURPLE -Denotes revisions that have been made to a map using aerial photos.
What does a depression look like on a topographic map?
Contour lines that show a depression, crater, or sinkhole on a map are represented by
dashed lines (hachure marks) on the inside of a contour line
. The elevation of the first depression contour is the same as the nearest regular contour line.
What will a hill look like on a topographic map?
Concentric circles
indicate a hill. When contour lines form closed loops all together in the same area, this is a hill. The smallest loops are the higher elevations and the larger loops are downhill.
What type of topography has contour lines very close together?
If contour lines are close together, it is a
very steep slope
; if they are far apart, it is a gradual slope.
