Topographic Map Notes 1 Contour lines Connect points

Topographic Map Notes

1. Contour lines Connect points of equal elevation

http: //raider. muc. edu/~mcnaugma/Topographic%20 Maps/contour. htm

2. The zero contour line is at sea level

http: //raider. muc. edu/~mcnaugma/Topographic%20 Maps/contour. htm

3. Contour interval • The difference in elevation between 2 consecutive contour lines.

What is the contour interval for this map? (How many feet between each line? ) • http: //raider. muc. edu/~mcnaugma/Topographic%20 Maps/contour. htm

4. Index contours • Every 5 th line may be darker and numbered rather than every line numbered.

Index contours-notice how every 5 th line is numbered. (What is the contour interval? ) http: //raider. muc. edu/~mcnaugma/Topographic%20 Maps/contour. htm

5. Features of a topographic map • • A) steep slopes—closely spaced lines B) gentle slopes—widely spaced lines C) valley—u or v shaped lines D) depression—hachure lines on a closed circle • E) mountain—circular contour lines getting smaller and smaller

Stream valleys

• 6. Flat surfaces have a small contour interval (5 feet or 5 meters) • 7. Mountainous areas have a larger contour interval. (40 feet, 100 feet)

8. Contour lines • • A) are endless B) never branch or fork C) never cross D) form v’s that point upstream when they cross a stream