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Aug 28, 2023 · Updated: May 27. Contour mapping is a technique used in cartography and geography to represent the three-dimensional shape and elevation of the Earth's surface on a two-dimensional map. Contour maps display lines called "contour lines" that connect points of equal elevation above a reference datum, typically mean sea level.
The contour lines run next to each other and NEVER cross. After all, a single point can only have one elevation. Two contour lines next to one another are separated by a constant difference in elevation (such as 20 ft or 100 ft). This difference between contour lines is called the contour interval. The map legend gives the contour interval.
akes and geographical names.The topographic map is a two-dimensional representation of the Earth’s. three-dimensional landscape. The most frequently used Canadian topographic map. is at the scale of 1:50 000.What informa. Topographic maps identify numerous ground features, which can be grouped into the following categories:
- Map Parts, Orientation, & Scale
- Using Contour Lines to Interpret Topographic Maps
- Drawing Contour Lines and Topographic Profiles
A map is a plan view (viewed from above, also known as map view) representation of an area on Earth’s surface. Topographic maps are maps that illustrate the topography (vertical shape, such as hills) of the mapped region. Geological mapsare maps that illustrate the rock types, rock ages and other geological features of the mapped area. Every map ha...
Contour linesallow us to add a vertical dimension to a plan view map. Contour lines represent elevations above sea level at specific intervals within a map area. Since each individual contour line connects points of equal elevation, if you were to follow a contour line across a map area in the real world you would be walking at the same elevation w...
Rules for Drawing Contour Lines
Constructing a topographic map is simple if you remember the following rules as you draw in contour lines on a map: 1. Contour lines represent lines connecting points of equal elevation above sea level. You can think of contour lines like fences separating lower elevations from higher elevations. 2. Contour intervals must be obeyed, therefore the contour line elevations can only be multiples of the contour interval. E.g., If the contour interval is 20 m, you can have contour lines at 20 m, 40...
Topographic Profiles
When working with topographic maps, sometimes it is useful to examine the landscape in profile. A topographic profileis a vertical cross-section or side image through a map that allows us to see how the topography varies along a line through the map. In Figure 6.11, the upper part shows a topographic map of a hill that contains two separate hill tops, and the bottom picture shows a topographic profile representing the profile along the line A-B on the map. Notice that the topographic profile...
- Karla Panchuk
- 2020
Feb 5, 2022 · Contour lines show stream direction with the V-shaped lines through which you see the streams and rivers run through on a topo map. Because water flows downhill, the V-shape always points in the opposite direction that the water is flowing. This is called the “Rule of V’s”. Contour Lines vs. Relief.
Jul 30, 2024 · It depicts variations in elevation using contour lines, letting viewers visualize the shape of the land. Let’s discuss four elements on a topographical map in more detail. 1. Elevation and Contour Lines. Topographic maps show elevation mainly through contour lines. Contour lines connect points of equal height on the earth’s surface.
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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. Maps in mountainous areas may have contour intervals of 100 feet or more. The contour interval is printed in the margin of each U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) map.
