What do closely spaced contour lines indicate about the ground surface represented on a topographic map quizlet?

What do closely spaced contour lines indicate? They indicate a steep slope.

What do contour lines mean on a topographic map?

Elevation contours are imaginary lines connecting points having the same elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, which is usually mean sea level. Contours make it possible to show the height and shape of mountains, the depths of the ocean bottom, and the steepness of slopes.

What do closely spaced contour lines mean?

steep slopes
Closely spaced contour lines indicate steep slopes. • Widely spaced contour lines indicate gentle slopes or relatively flat areas. • A contour line that forms a closed loop with no other contour lines inside indicates a hilltop.

What does it mean if contours are closely spaced?

steep slope
Closely spaced contour lines indicate a steep slope (Figure F-1). 2. Widely spaced contour lines indicate a gentle slope (Figure F-2). Evenly spaced contour lines indicate a uniform slope (Figure F-2), while irregular spacing indicates an irregular slope (Figure F-1).

What is the space between contour lines called?

A contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines.

How far apart are contour lines on a map?

A contour line is drawn between points of the same height, so any single contour line will be at the same height all the way along its length. The height difference between separate contour lines is normally 5 meters, but it will be 10 meters in very hilly or mountainous areas with thick lines at 50 meter intervals.

What does the spacing between contour lines on a map reveal about the ground surface?

1. The spacing of contour lines shows the slope of the land. Contour lines that are close together indicate a steep slope. This is because the elevation changes quickly in a small area.

What do the pattern and spacing between contour lines indicate?

Given that the two images are from a map of the same scale, we can state that where the contours are closer together, the slope is steeper. Closer spacing of contours tells us that elevation is changing faster over distance, in other words, a steeper gradient. Wide spacing of contours indicates flat terrain.

Why will the contour lines be in irregular shape?

Answer: Irregular contour lines means rugged terrain. It’s rare in nature for contours to cross. But they can for overhangs and cliffs.

What are the 3 contour lines on a map?

There are 3 kinds of contour lines you’ll see on a map: intermediate, index, and supplementary.

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 is the contour interval of the map?

A contour interval in surveying is the vertical distance or the difference in the elevation between the two contour lines in a topographical map. Usually there are different contour intervals for the different maps. Considering the size of the area to be mapped, contour intervals are assumed.

What do the contour lines on a topographic map mean?

Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes, conversely, contour lines that are spaced far apart represent gentle slopes. 3. Contour lines trend up valleys and form a “V” or a “U” where they cross a stream. On most topographic maps, index contour lines are generally darker and are marked with their elevations.

What are the different types of contour lines?

Contour lines do not cross each other, divide or split. 2. Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes, conversely, contour lines that are spaced far apart represent gentle slopes. 3. Contour lines trend up valleys and form a “V” or a “U” where they cross a stream.

What do the circles on a topographic map mean?

The smallest circles represent the tops of peaks, and some are marked with x’s with numbers next to them. The numbers are the elevation at the top of the peak. Follow a contour line along its length. Notice the indentations.