You can figure out the elevation of any point by
finding the nearest labeled line
, counting the number of lines above or below it, multiplying by the contour interval, and adding or subtracting the result from the nearest marked contour line. The more closely spaced the contour lines, the steeper the slope.
How do you find the height of a contour line?
You can figure out the elevation of any point by
finding the nearest labeled line
, counting the number of lines above or below it, multiplying by the contour interval, and adding or subtracting the result from the nearest marked contour line. The more closely spaced the contour lines, the steeper the slope.
How do you find the elevation of a depression contour line?
The elevation of the first depression contour
is the same as the nearest regular contour line
. The lowest possible elevation for a depression is one more than what the next contour should be. The lowest possible elevation of a depression is just above the value of the next line that is not shown.
How are contour lines used to show elevation?
Put simply, contour lines
mark points of equal elevation on a map
. If you trace the length of a line with your finger, each point you touch is the same height above sea level. If you were to walk the path of a contour line in real life, you would remain at the same elevation the whole hike, never traveling up or down.
How do you determine the elevation of a point that falls between two contour lines?
The elevation of an unlabeled contour line can be determined by knowing the contour interval and looking at adjacent contour lines. The elevation of a point located in between two contour lines can be estimated by
interpolating between the lines
.
What does it mean when contour lines are closer together?
Contour lines that are relatively close together indicate
a slope that is fairly steep
. 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 are 3 types of contour lines?
Contour lines are of three different kinds. They are
the Index lines, Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines
.
What is the space between contour lines called?
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.
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 five 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’s the difference between two contour lines?
The elevation difference between two adjacent contour lines is called
the contour interval (CI)
. Usually the contour interval is noted on the map legend. In most topographic maps every 5th contour line is drawn in bold print or wider than other contours. Such lines are called index contour lines.
What is the difference between two consecutive contour lines is?
Contour Interval (abbreviated as C.I.)
= the difference between two consecutive contours.
What happens if the contour lines look like they are touching?
Contour lines that seem to touch indicate
a very steep rise, like a cliff or canyon
wall. Broadly spaced contour lines indicate a shallow slope.
Why do contour lines never cross?
Contour lines never cross on a topographic map
because each line represents the same elevation level of the land
.
How far apart are contour lines on a map?
Individual contour lines on a topographical map are a fixed interval of elevation apart known as a contour interval. Common contour intervals are
5, 10, 20, 40, 80, or 100 feet
. The actual contour interval of a map depends upon the topography being represented as well as the scale of the map.
