Table of Contents
What is a depression on a map?
A closed contour, inside of which the ground or geologic structure is at a lower elevation than that outside, and distinguished on a map from other contour lines by hachures marked on the downslope or downdip side.
What depression lines indicate?
The closer together the inclines, the steeper the hill. On the other hand, the farther apart lines tend to indicate a depression in the landscape. Another way to tell elevation is the numbers on the map. Each number represents a different elevation, the higher the number, the higher the elevation (duh) and vice versa.
What is a depression called on a topographic map?
hachured contours
So look what we’ve done – we’ve made up a new type of contour, called a DEPRESSION CONTOUR! It’s marked with little ‘teeth’ called HACHURES! For hachured contours, a point inside a contour is lower than the contour! And a point outside a contour is higher than the contour!
What are the 4 rules for reading a contour map?
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 does topographic map consist of?
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).
What do cliffs look like on a topographic map?
On a topo map look for a blue line that marks the path of the water. On the map, look for a place where contour lines become very close together to the point where you can’t tell one from the next. This indicates an extremely steep slope and is the tell tale sign of a cliff.
How do you identify a cliff on a contour map?
On a contour map, the contour lines are very close together or merge into a single line in other words, contour lines overlap. This indicates a cliff.
How are Hill and depression represented by contour?
A closed contour line on a map represents either depression or hill (Figure 17.9(a)). A set of ring contours with higher values inside, depicts a hill whereas the lower value inside, depicts a depression (without an outlet) Figure 17.9(b). Contours deflect uphill at valley lines and downhill at ridge lines.
What do contour lines on a topographic map show?
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.