Contour lines are used to show elevation on a topographic map. Lines or isolines on a map that connect points with the same elevation. What does each contour line on a map show? Each contour line shows a different elevation.

After all, a single point can only have one elevation. Two contour lines next to one another are separated by a constant difference in elevation (such as 20 ft or 100 ft). This difference between contour lines is called the contour interval.

When contour lines are closer together on a map, they indicate a steep slope. Think of contour lines as the distance between each incline. 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.

Answer: Explanation: Contour lines are lines that show places of equal elevation. However, relief is the distance in elevation between the highest point on a map and the lowest point on a map (based on elevation).

There are 3 kinds of contour lines you’ll see on a map: intermediate, index, and supplementary.

• Index lines are the thickest contour lines and are usually labeled with a number at one point along the line.
• Intermediate lines are the thinner, more common, lines between the index lines.

Contour lines never cross on a topographic map because each line represents the same elevation level of the land.

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. This is an INDEX contour line. Rule 5 – Contour lines are closer together in steep terrain and farther apart in flat areas.

Moving from one contour line to another always indicates a change in elevation. To determine if it is a positive (uphill) or negative (downhill) change you must look at the index contours on either side (see figure)

1. Contour lines do not cross each other, divide or split. 2. Closely spaced contour lines represent steep slopes, conversely, contour lines that are spaced far apart represent gentle slopes.

A contour line is a line drawn on a topographic map to indicate ground elevation or depression. A contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines. Index contours are bold or thicker lines that appear at every fifth contour line.

The space between the contour lines is called the contour interval and represents a specific (set) distance. If the contour interval is 50 feet, the vertical space between the two contour lines is 50 feet.

Putting it another way, if you take the elevation of a contour line and divide it by the C.I., the answer must be a whole number! For example, if the C.I. is 40′, then you can have a contour at 1800′ (1800’/40′ = 45), but not at 1900′ (1900’/40′ = 47.5′)!”

Divide the difference in elevation between the index lines by the number of contour lines from one index line to the next. In the example above, the distance 200 is divided by the number of lines, 5. The contour interval is equal to 200 / 5 = 40, or 40-unit contour intervals.

Characteristics of Contours

• Must close on themselves, on or off the map.
• Perpendicular to the direction of max.
• Slope between them is assumed uniform.
• The distance between them indicates the steepness of the slope, gentle or steep.
• Irregular signify rough, smooth signify gradual slopes.
• Concentric closed contours: hills or depression.

Contour lines that are relatively close together indicate a slope that is fairly steep. Contour lines that are further apart indicates a slope that is relatively flat. The area of the map above boxed in orange shows an area that has a fairly steep slope, while the area boxed in purple is a relatively flat area.

1 : an outline especially of a curving or irregular figure : shape the sleek contours of the car The map shows the contour of the coastline. also : the line representing this outline. 2 : the general form or structure of something : characteristic —often used in plural the contours of a melody…

Expressive lines are curved, adding an organic, more dynamic character to a work of art. Expressive lines are often rounded and follow undetermined paths. Outline, or contour line is the simplest of these. They create a path around the edge of a shape. In fact, outlines often define shapes.

There are 5 main types of lines in art: vertical lines, horizontal lines, diagonal lines, zigzag lines, and curved lines. Other types of lines are simply variations of the five main ones.

There are many types of lines: thick, thin, horizontal, vertical, zigzag, diagonal, curly, curved, spiral, etc. and are often very expressive.

The physical characteristics of line are many. Lines may be short or long, thin or thick, straight or curved, direct or meandering, zigzag or serpentine, distinct or blurred. These characteristics have certain built‐in associations that the artist may make use of.

There are five basic kinds of lines: Curved, Vertical, Horizontal, Zigzag and Diagonal

A line is a one-dimensional figure, which has length but no width. A line is made of a set of points which is extended in opposite directions infinitely. In geometry, there are different types of lines such as horizontal and vertical lines, parallel and perpendicular lines.