Land Navigation 3- Intro Topography Flashcards
What is a contour line?
A line drawn on a map representing an imaginary line on the ground which all points are at the same elevation.
What is an index contour line?
Starting at zero elevation, every fifth contour line is drawn with a heavier line, these are index contour lines.
What are intermediate contour lines?
The contour lines falling between index contours.
What is a spur?
Running downslope from each hill along a ridge.
What is a ridge?
Series of connected hills - a linear mass.
What is a cliff?
Almost vertical slope.
What is a draw?
- A less developed stream course in which there is essentially no level ground.
- Running downslope from each saddle.
- Draws occur frequently along the sides of ridges.
- Contours indicate a draw are ‘V’ shaped, w/ the ‘V’ towards the head of the draw.
What is a hill?
- A point or small area of high ground.
What is a saddle?
A dip or low point along the crest of a ridge.
What is a military crest?
- An area on the slope of a hill or ridge just below the topographic crest from which maximum observation and direct fire can be obtained.
- Using the military crest reduces the chances of a unit sky lining itself.
What is a reverse slope?
Any slope, which descends away from the enemy.
What are the types of slopes?
- Steep slopes
- Uniform gentle
- Convex
- Concave
- Reverse
What is a Convex slope?
- Contour lines widely spaced at the top and closely spaced at the bottom.
- An observer at the top of a convex slope cannot observe most of the slope, or terrain at the bottom.
What is a Concave Slope?
- Contour lines are closely spaced at the top and widely spaced at the bottom.
- An observer at the top of the concave slope can observe the entire slope and the terrain at the bottom.
