What Is A Contour Interval On A Topographic Map

The interval between contour lines represents the difference in elevation between the two. The space between contour lines on a topographical map is a contour interval.

What Are Contour Lines How To Read A Topographical Map 101

Also there are always some contours on the map that are printed in a bolder.

What is a contour interval on a topographic map. Because its impractical to mark the elevation of every contour line on the map the index contour lines are the only ones labeled. To determine the elevation of a point on the map a. Usually there are different contour intervals for the different maps.

A maps legend usually identifies the contour interval on the map but sometimes only part of a map is available. Contour interval 20 ft. A contour interval in surveying is the vertical distance or the difference in the elevation between the two contour lines in a topographical map.

A contour line on a topographic map represents a specific elevation above sea level. On most maps determining contour interval is easy just look in the margin of the map and find where the contour interval is printed ie. Knowing how to calculate the contour interval becomes a useful skill.

For instance if the map uses a 20 foot interval there are contour lines at zero 20 40 60 80 and 100 feet. On most maps every fifth contour line shown as a heavier or darker line is an index line or index contour. Before the elevation of any point on the map can be determined the user must know the contour interval for the map he is using.

Contour interval definition the difference in elevation represented by each contour line on a topographic map. For the maps on this web site however the contour interval is not listed because we only have parts of topographic maps not the whole map which would include the margin notes. The contour interval is always indicated somewhere in the margin of the topo map along with other symbols and scales.

Considering the size of the area to be mapped contour intervals are assumed. The contour interval is an even space that represents an increase in elevation. To make topographic maps easier to read every fifth contour line is an index contour.

The contour interval measurement given in the marginal information is the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines. If an area on a. Many different features in the land can be shown by the representation of contour lines and intervals.

The index contours are a darker or wider brown line in comparison to the regular contour lines.

Solved A1 Analyze The Topographic Map Below The Contour