What does it mean when lines are close together on a topographic map?

What does it mean when lines are close together on a topographic map?

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 the lines on a topographic map called?

Contours are imag- inary lines that join points of equal elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, such as mean sea level. Contours make it possible to measure the height of mountains, depths of the ocean bottom, and steep- ness of slopes. A topographic map shows more than contours.

What is the slope when the contour lines are close on the map?

3.4. The arrangement of the contour lines on a map gives a direct indication of the changes in the field’s topography (Fig. 55). In hilly areas, the contour lines are close together while they are wider apart on flat slopes. The closer the contour lines, the steeper the slope.

When contour lines are close together they show what type of elevation?

If the lines are close together, it means that the elevation change of 10 feet happens over relatively little linear distance. The closer they are together, the steeper the slope. If the lines are far apart, it means that the elevation change of 10 feet happens over a longer linear distance.

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 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 the 3 types of contour lines?

Contour lines are of three different kinds. They are the Index lines, Intermediate lines and the Supplementary lines.

When contour lines are close together on a topographic map that tells the reader that?

You can usually find the contour interval on the map legend or by subtracting the lowest elevation from the highest and dividing the total by the number of contour lines between the two elevations. When contour lines are close together on a map, it shows a steeper slope of the terrain.

How does the slope change as the lines get closer together in topography?

If the lines are close together, it means that the elevation change of 10 feet happens over relatively little linear distance. The closer they are together, the steeper the slope. This is a gentle slope, and would be easier and safer to walk.

What are 3 types of contour lines?

What do topographic maps show us?

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).

How are the contour lines on a topographic map represented?

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 the advantages of using a topographical map?

One of the advantages to using a topographical map is that it shows the three dimensional lay of the land. It does this by using contour lines. A contour line is a line that connects points of equal elevation. On the topo map they appear as the brown lines.

What are some examples of symbols on a topographic map?

Examples of symbols that have changed include built-up areas, roads, intermittent drainage, and some letter- ing styles. On one type of large-scale topographic map, called provisional, some symbols and lettering are hand- drawn. U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Reading Topographic Maps

What do widely spaced contours on a map mean?

Widely spaced contours or an absence of contours means that the ground slope is relatively level. The elevation difference between adjacent contour lines, called the contour interval, is selected to best show the general shape of the terrain. A map of a relatively fl at area may have a contour interval of 10 feet or less.