Quick Check: According to Figure 1 above, what is the highest possible elevation that you may encounter?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
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**Contour Lines:**

Contour lines indicate the shape of the land surface, i.e., its topography. A contour line is the map trace of an imaginary line on the ground that has a particular elevation. One way of visualizing such a line is to imagine a shoreline. Bodies of standing water have level upper surfaces, thus their shorelines are traces on the ground surface of that particular elevation. Topographic maps have many contour lines, each adjacent line differing by a constant elevation difference, the contour interval (Figure 1).

---

**Figure 1: Example of contour lines on a 3-dimensional block diagram.**

This illustration shows a 3-dimensional block with contour lines drawn across it. The contour lines represent different elevations, highlighting the three-dimensional shape of a hill or mountain in two dimensions.

---

**Basic Rules of Contour Lines:**

Contour lines follow some basic rules. If you understand contour lines, you should be able to explain why each of these rules is true:

1. The closer spaced contour lines are, the steeper the ground surface is.
2. Contour lines never cross.
3. Contour lines never branch.
4. Contour lines never change elevation.
5. Contour lines never skip (e.g., you can never have the sequence of lines 10, 20, 40 without having 10, 20, 30, 40).
6. Contour lines always have an up side and a down side (all elevations on one side of the line are higher than the line, all elevations on the other side lower). The up and down side never change along the length of the contour line.
7. When contour lines cross rivers, streams, etc., they form V’s.

**Example:**

Note the Rule of V’s!

This smaller map diagram shows contour lines crossing a river, illustrating the "Rule of V's" where lines form V shapes pointing upstream.

---

**Quick Check:**

According to Figure 1 above, what is the highest possible elevation that you may encounter?

What is the lowest possible elevation that you may encounter based on the same figure above?

Concentric, nested contours indicate ____________________________________________.

When contour lines are close together, this means __________________________________.

When contour lines are spread out further, this means ______________________________.

What is the contour interval of 25ft, 30ft, 35ft lines? ________________________________.
Transcribed Image Text:**Contour Lines:** Contour lines indicate the shape of the land surface, i.e., its topography. A contour line is the map trace of an imaginary line on the ground that has a particular elevation. One way of visualizing such a line is to imagine a shoreline. Bodies of standing water have level upper surfaces, thus their shorelines are traces on the ground surface of that particular elevation. Topographic maps have many contour lines, each adjacent line differing by a constant elevation difference, the contour interval (Figure 1). --- **Figure 1: Example of contour lines on a 3-dimensional block diagram.** This illustration shows a 3-dimensional block with contour lines drawn across it. The contour lines represent different elevations, highlighting the three-dimensional shape of a hill or mountain in two dimensions. --- **Basic Rules of Contour Lines:** Contour lines follow some basic rules. If you understand contour lines, you should be able to explain why each of these rules is true: 1. The closer spaced contour lines are, the steeper the ground surface is. 2. Contour lines never cross. 3. Contour lines never branch. 4. Contour lines never change elevation. 5. Contour lines never skip (e.g., you can never have the sequence of lines 10, 20, 40 without having 10, 20, 30, 40). 6. Contour lines always have an up side and a down side (all elevations on one side of the line are higher than the line, all elevations on the other side lower). The up and down side never change along the length of the contour line. 7. When contour lines cross rivers, streams, etc., they form V’s. **Example:** Note the Rule of V’s! This smaller map diagram shows contour lines crossing a river, illustrating the "Rule of V's" where lines form V shapes pointing upstream. --- **Quick Check:** According to Figure 1 above, what is the highest possible elevation that you may encounter? What is the lowest possible elevation that you may encounter based on the same figure above? Concentric, nested contours indicate ____________________________________________. When contour lines are close together, this means __________________________________. When contour lines are spread out further, this means ______________________________. What is the contour interval of 25ft, 30ft, 35ft lines? ________________________________.
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Question 2

### Figure 1: Example of Contour Lines on a 3-Dimensional Block Diagram

Contour lines follow some basic rules. If you understand contour lines, you should be able to explain why each of these rules is true:

1. The closer spaced contour lines are, the steeper the ground surface is.
2. Contour lines never cross.
3. Contour lines never branch.
4. Contour lines never change elevation.
5. Contour lines never skip (e.g., you can never have the sequence of lines 10, 20, 40 without having 10, 20, 30, 40).
6. Contour lines always have an up side and a down side (all elevations on one side of the line are higher than the line, all elevations on the other side lower). The up and down side never change along the length of the contour line.
7. When contour lines cross rivers, streams, etc., they form V's.

**Example:**
Note the Rule of V's!

A diagram is present showing contour lines arranged on a map with elevation values such as 70, 75, 80, and 85. There is a river labeled “Pebble Lake,” and the contour lines form V-shapes as they cross the river. The diagram provides a visual representation of the terrain elevation changes. The contour interval is noted as 10 meters.

### Quick Check:

1. According to Figure 1 above, what is the highest possible elevation that you may encounter?

2. What is the lowest possible elevation that you may encounter based on the same figure above?

3. Concentric, nested contours indicate ___________________________________________.

4. When contour lines are close together, this means ________________________________.

5. When contour lines are spread out further, this means ____________________________.

6. What is the contour interval of 25ft, 30ft, 35ft lines? _____________________________.
Transcribed Image Text:### Figure 1: Example of Contour Lines on a 3-Dimensional Block Diagram Contour lines follow some basic rules. If you understand contour lines, you should be able to explain why each of these rules is true: 1. The closer spaced contour lines are, the steeper the ground surface is. 2. Contour lines never cross. 3. Contour lines never branch. 4. Contour lines never change elevation. 5. Contour lines never skip (e.g., you can never have the sequence of lines 10, 20, 40 without having 10, 20, 30, 40). 6. Contour lines always have an up side and a down side (all elevations on one side of the line are higher than the line, all elevations on the other side lower). The up and down side never change along the length of the contour line. 7. When contour lines cross rivers, streams, etc., they form V's. **Example:** Note the Rule of V's! A diagram is present showing contour lines arranged on a map with elevation values such as 70, 75, 80, and 85. There is a river labeled “Pebble Lake,” and the contour lines form V-shapes as they cross the river. The diagram provides a visual representation of the terrain elevation changes. The contour interval is noted as 10 meters. ### Quick Check: 1. According to Figure 1 above, what is the highest possible elevation that you may encounter? 2. What is the lowest possible elevation that you may encounter based on the same figure above? 3. Concentric, nested contours indicate ___________________________________________. 4. When contour lines are close together, this means ________________________________. 5. When contour lines are spread out further, this means ____________________________. 6. What is the contour interval of 25ft, 30ft, 35ft lines? _____________________________.
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