Topographic Map Flashcards
What is a contour line?
Imaginary line on the earths surface connecting points of elevation.
What does topographic mean?
2 dimensional representation of the surface of the land
What is relief?
The distance between the highest and lowest elevations in a given area
What is a contour interval?
The amount of elevation between each line is constant and called the contour interval
What is a Contor index?
Every fifth line is thicker and elevation is Marked on this line
What is sea level elevation?
Always 0 m
What do widely spaced contours indicate?
Gentle slope
Tightly spaced contours?
Steep slope
What do loops signify?
A mountain or hill
What is the rule of O’s?
The innermost loop is the highest area
Normally uphill on the inside and downhill on the outside
What is the rule of V’s?
Lines will form a B when crossing a river, the V points upstream to a river’s source
What are depression contours?
Contour lines with hachure marks, hachure marks represents going down hill and closed loops are depressions like caved in areas
What is a benchmark?
Shows the exact elevation on surface with a concrete marker in the ground
What is a spot elevation?
Exact elevation on a map only
What is a profile map?
A cross section of the earths surface
