Contour Lines
Concepts of Contour Lines (Models and Landscape Maps with Landscape Features)
Maps are produced using contour lines to show the height of the land above sea level.
Contour Lines on a Map
A contour line connects all the locations on a map that are at the same elevation above sea level.
Zero meters are at sea level.
On each contour line, the height above sea level is noted in meters in a spot along the line.
Every contour is more or lesser than the one adjacent to it.
The contour interval is the height difference between any two contours.
The height of the land is equal to the height of the contours above and below it at any location where
two contours meet.
Contour Patterns
On a map, the contours' patterns represent the physical characteristics of the land.
We can identify landforms like hills, steep slopes, gentle slopes, valleys, and spurs by studying the
contour patterns.
Steep and gentle slopes (description of gradient)
A gentle slope's contour pattern displays contour lines that are spaced far apart.
A sleep stope's contour pattern exhibits closely spaced contour lines.
The gradient of a slope describes how steep it is.
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Grade 9 Oxford Successful Social Sciences
River valleys and Spurs
Rivers run through valleys.
There is always a spur—a wedge of steep land—
between two rivers that flow next to one
another.
Although a valley and a spur appear to have the
same pattern of contours, there is a significant
distinction:
- The valley's V-shaped contours hint in the
direction of higher ground.
- The contours are more rounded and point
toward low ground in a spur.
On occasion, a valley's contour pattern will be
seen even though the valley is devoid of a river.
Dry valleys are those that have no rivers.
South Africa has several dry valleys because
there is little rainfall there.
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