- What are contour lines like?
- Why can we determine the shape of the terrain based on contour lines on the map?
* Solution:
- Contour lines are the lines connecting points of equal elevation on the map.
- By using contour lines on the map, we can determine the shape of the terrain because: Contour lines indicate the absolute elevation of points and the characteristic shape of the terrain: Slope.
- Contour lines close together indicate steep terrain
- Contour lines farther apart indicate gentle terrain.
2. Based on contour lines, identify terrain features on the diagram:
- Determine on the diagram in figure 44 the direction from peak A1 to peak A2.
- What is the difference in elevation between the two contour lines on the diagram?
- Use the contour lines to find the elevation of peaks A1, A2, and points B1, B2, B3.
- Calculate the straight-line distance from peak A1 to peak A2
- Observe the contour lines on the eastern and western slopes of mountain A1, indicate which slope is steeper?
* Solution:
- Direction from peak A1 to peak A2: West to East.
- Elevation difference between two contour lines: 100m
- Elevation of peaks:
A1 = 900m
A2 = 600m
B1 above 500m
B2 above 650m
B3 above 550m
- Straight-line distance from peak A1 to peak A2: 7.5 cm
According to the map scale: 1: 100,000
=> Actual distance approximately: 7.5km
Observing contour lines on the eastern and western slopes of mountain A1, we see: The western slope is steeper because the contour lines are closer together on the western slope than on the eastern slope.
