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What can be used to compare elevations?
Elevation is distance above sea level. Elevations are usually measured in meters or feet. They can be shown on maps by contour lines, which connect points with the same elevation; by bands of color; or by numbers giving the exact elevations of particular points on the Earths surface.
How do you determine the elevation between contour lines?
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 compare contour maps?
To compare a contour to a surface, we merely pick up all the surface values along that contour. If the contour is accurate, those values will form a perfectly horizontal, unvarying “profile” at precisely the elevation named by the contour.
What 2 types of lines show elevation difference?
Topographic maps have contour lines that connect points of identical elevation above sea level. Contour lines run next to each other. Adjacent contour lines are separated by a constant difference in elevation, usually noted on the map. Topographic maps have a horizontal scale to indicate horizontal distances.
How do you explain topography?
Topography describes the physical features of an area of land. These features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included. Topography often records the various elevations of an area using a topographical map.
What is an example of elevation?
Elevation is defined as the height above the ground or other surface, or a place or position of height. An example of elevation is a plane flying at 36,000 feet above the ground. An example of elevation is a ballet dancer leaping three feet in the air.
What is the distance between two contour lines called?
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.
What are the types of contour lines?
A. Contour lines are of three different kinds. They are the Index lines, Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines.
What do contours on maps indicate?
A topographic map illustrates the topography, or the shape of the land, at the surface of the Earth. The topography is represented by contour lines, which are imaginary lines. Every point on a particular contour line is at the same elevation. These lines are generally relative to mean sea level.
What are examples of topography?
Topographical Features 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).
Why do you use contour lines on a map?
Contour lines are lines drawn on a map connecting points of equal elevation, meaning if you physically followed a contour line, elevation would remain constant. Contour lines show elevation and the shape of the terrain. They’re useful because they illustrate the shape of the land surface — its topography — on the map.
Which is the index contour on a topographic map?
To make topographic maps easier to read, every fifth contour line is an index contour. Because it’s impractical to mark the elevation of every contour line on the map, the index contour lines are the only ones labeled. The index contours are a darker or wider brown line in comparison to the regular contour lines.
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.
How can you tell the elevation of an area?
You’ll see the elevations marked on the index contour lines only. To determine elevations, pay attention to the amount of space in between lines. If the contours are close together, you’re looking at a steep slope. If the contours have wide spaces in between — or aren’t there at all — the terrain is relatively flat.