A topographic map uses contour lines to show the three-dimensional shape of the land. Contour lines reveal the locations of hills, valleys, and other surface features. To read a topographic map, you should know that: - Each contour line represents a specific elevation and connects all the points that have that elevation. Every fifth contour line is bolded and labeled with its elevation. - Contour lines run next to each other but never intersect. - Adjacent contour lines are separated by a constant difference in elevation, called the contour interval. The map legend gives the contour... Show more A topographic map uses contour lines to show the three-dimensional shape of the land. Contour lines reveal the locations of hills, valleys, and other surface features. To read a topographic map, you should know that: - Each contour line represents a specific elevation and connects all the points that have that elevation. Every fifth contour line is bolded and labeled with its elevation. - Contour lines run next to each other but never intersect. - Adjacent contour lines are separated by a constant difference in elevation, called the contour interval. The map legend gives the contour interval. - Closely-spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope. They show that the elevation changes quickly over a short horizontal distance. Contour lines that seem to touch indicate a very steep rise, such as a cliff or canyon wall. Broadly spaced contour lines, in contrast, indicate a gentle slope. - Contour lines that form concentric closed loops indicate hills. Smaller loops represent higher elevations. - Hatched concentric loops indicate depressions. Hatch marks are short, perpendicular lines inside a loop. Smaller hatched loops represent lower elevations. - A group of V-shaped contour lines indicates a stream valley. The narrow part of the Vs point uphill. Water always flows from higher to lower elevations, so the Vs also tell you the direction the water is flowing. Show less
A topographic map uses contour lines to show the three-dimensional shape of the land. Contour lines reveal the locations of hills, valleys, and other surface features. To read a topographic map, you should know that: - Each contour line represents a specific elevation and connects all the points that have that elevation. Every fifth contour line is bolded and labeled with its elevation. - Contour lines run next to each other but never intersect. - Adjacent contour lines are separated by a constant difference in elevation, called the contour interval. The map legend gives the contour interval. - Closely-spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope. They show that the elevation changes quickly over a short horizontal distance. Contour lines that seem to touch indicate a very steep rise, such as a cliff or canyon wall. Broadly spaced contour lines, in contrast, indicate a gentle slope. - Contour lines that form concentric closed loops indicate hills. Smaller loops represent higher elevations. - Hatched concentric loops indicate depressions. Hatch marks are short, perpendicular lines inside a loop. Smaller hatched loops represent lower elevations. - A group of V-shaped contour lines indicates a stream valley. The narrow part of the Vs point uphill. Water always flows from higher to lower elevations, so the Vs also tell you the direction the water is flowing.
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