Close together contours
indicate a steep slope, wall or cliff
. Close together contours at the top of a hill indicate a pointed hilltop. Crossing or touching contours indicate an overhang or cliff. Jagged, rough contours indicate large outcrops of rocks, cliffs and fractured areas.
How do you read contour lines on a topographic map?
- Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line. …
- Intermediate lines are the thinner, more common, lines between the index lines. …
- Supplementary lines appear as dotted lines, indicating flatter terrain.
How are topographic maps interpreted?
Rather, the
shape of three-dimensional structures can be inferred from the relative shape and location of the contour lines
(e.g., closely spaced contours represent steep slopes, and widely spaced contours represent shallow slopes). Topographic maps are members of the class of diagrams called isograms (Brooks, 1916).
How do you read a topographic map scale?
The first
number of the scale is always
one. It’s your unit of measurement, usually an inch. The second number is the ground distance. For example, if your U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map has a scale of 1:24,000, it means that 1 inch on the map is equal to 24,000 inches (2,000 feet or 610 meters) in the real world.
What are 3 types of contour lines?
Contour lines are of three different kinds. They are
the Index lines, Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines
.
How do you read a topographic line?
- Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line. …
- Intermediate lines are the thinner, more common, lines between the index lines. …
- Supplementary lines appear as dotted lines, indicating flatter terrain.
What three things do topographic maps show?
Topographic maps are a detailed record of a land area, giving geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show the
shape of the land the mountains, valleys, and plains
by means of brown contour lines (lines of equal elevation above sea level).
What do the numbers mean on a topographic map?
It is found in the top right hand corner of the map (Fig. … The next thing that you should notice on a topographical map are the numbers running all around the outside of the map. These numbers
represent two grid systems that can be used to find your exact location
. The first is called latitude and longitude.
How many miles is 2 inches on a map?
| Map Scale Miles to Inches | 1:100,000 1.6 miles = 1 inch | 1: 126,700 2 miles = 1 inch | 1:150,000 2.4 miles = 1 inch | 1:200,000 3 miles = 1 inch |
|---|
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 4 types of contour lines?
- Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line. …
- Intermediate lines are the thinner, more common, lines between the index lines.
What type of lines are contour lines?
There are 3 kinds of contour lines you’ll see on a map:
intermediate, index, and supplementary
. 1. Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line.
What 2 types of lines show elevation differences?
Contour lines
are used to show elevation on a topographic map. Lines or isolines on a map that connect points with the same elevation. What does each contour line on a map show? Each contour line shows a different elevation.
What are the features of a good topographic map?
Topographic maps are a detailed record of a land area, giving geographic positions and elevations for both natural and man-made features. They show
the shape of the land the mountains, valleys, and plains by means of brown contour lines
(lines of equal elevation above sea level).
What are examples of topography?
Examples include
mountains, hills, valleys, lakes, oceans, rivers, cities, dams, and roads
. Elevation – The elevation, or height, of mountains and other objects is recorded as part of topography. It is usually recorded in reference to sea level (the surface of the ocean).
What are the symbols on a topographic map?
- Brown lines – contours (note that intervals vary)
- Black lines – roads, railroads, trails, and boundaries.
- Red lines – survey lines (township, range, and section lines)
- Blue areas – streams and solid is for larger bodies of water.
- Green areas – vegetation, typically trees or dense foliage.
