{"id":12633,"date":"2017-01-29T05:21:36","date_gmt":"2017-01-29T11:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=12633"},"modified":"2025-05-31T21:24:47","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T02:24:47","slug":"contour-lines-topographic-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/contour-lines-topographic-map\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Contour Lines on Topographic Maps?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1003\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Fuji 3D Contours Labels\" class=\"wp-image-96667\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels.jpg 1003w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-678x357.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213{position:relative;}.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213:not(.specificity){margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column12633_d1218b-2213\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_941289-3011\"]{padding-bottom:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_941289-3011\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_941289-3011\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading12633_941289-3011 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_941289-3011\"><strong>DEFINITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012\"]{font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading12633_89d703-0012\">Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, showing how high or steep the terrain is on a map.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which trail would you take?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine. You&#8217;re out mountain climbing with your friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You pull out your map and see two hiking trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>first route<\/strong> has closely spaced contour lines.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the <strong>second route<\/strong> has widely-spaced spaced contour lines.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which hiking trail would <strong>YOU<\/strong> take?<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-550x370.png\" alt=\"Contours\" class=\"wp-image-45297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-550x370.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-678x456.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-768x516.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-50x34.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-150x100.png 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-200x134.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-425x286.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-115x77.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours-360x242.png 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Contours.png 980w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>For the slow-and-steady climber, you&#8217;d pick the second route because widely-spaced contour lines mean the slope is <strong>gradual<\/strong>. But if you picked the first route, you&#8217;re the type of free climber who scales mountains with just a pickaxe.  This is because when contours are close together, it means that the slope is <strong>steeper<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a quick definition, a <strong>contour line<\/strong> joins points of equal and constant values. For example, contours on an elevation have constant heights that are the same on each line in a <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/topographic-maps\/\">topographic map<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there contour lines mountains or depressions?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you have a closed contour like the one below, this means there is a hill\/mountain or depression.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"173\" src=\"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-425x173.png\" alt=\"depression contour\" class=\"wp-image-12833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-425x173.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-50x20.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-200x81.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-550x224.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-115x47.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-150x60.png 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-380x155.png 380w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour.png 670w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You don&#8217;t really know unless there is a label on the contour line.  In the example below, we&#8217;ve added labels and it should be clear that it&#8217;s a depression.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"173\" src=\"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-425x173.png\" alt=\"depression contour lines label\" class=\"wp-image-12834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-425x173.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-50x20.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-200x81.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-550x224.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-115x47.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-150x60.png 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label-380x155.png 380w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Depression-Contour-Label.png 670w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And this isn&#8217;t just any depression. This is the massive meteor crater that struck Arizona a long time ago.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"964\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Depression-Contour-Crater.jpg\" alt=\"Depression Contour Crater\" class=\"wp-image-96639\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Depression-Contour-Crater.jpg 964w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Depression-Contour-Crater-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Depression-Contour-Crater-678x382.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Depression-Contour-Crater-768x433.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 964px) 100vw, 964px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On some maps, cartographers use teeth marks or hachures for depressions at craters or volcanoes because they mark the elevation going up or down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/gisgeography.com\/topographic-profiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Topographic Profile of Arizona&#8217;s Massive Meteor Crater<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do Mount Fuji&#8217;s contour lines look like?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, closed contour lines indicate a mountain.  The beautiful Mount Fuji stands 3,776 meters tall above sea level. At 250-meter spacing, here&#8217;s how the contour lines look:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"611\" height=\"328\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Fuji-Mountain-Contour-2D-Label-3.jpg\" alt=\"Fuji Mountain Contour 2D\" class=\"wp-image-96665\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Fuji-Mountain-Contour-2D-Label-3.jpg 611w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Fuji-Mountain-Contour-2D-Label-3-300x161.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 611px) 100vw, 611px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When you see Mount Fuji in 3D, you can see that it&#8217;s quite steep as the contours are relatively closely spaced together.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1003\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Fuji 3D Contours labels\" class=\"wp-image-96667\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels.jpg 1003w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-678x357.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Mount-Fuji-3D-Contours-Labels-768x404.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1003px) 100vw, 1003px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>So far, we&#8217;ve seen examples of two types of closed contours, but what do contours look like in valleys?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The rule of V and U-shaped valleys<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Valleys are elongated low-lying depressions usually with a river flowing through them.  You know that you&#8217;re looking at a valley bottom when contour lines are <strong>V or U-shaped<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is an example of a 3D view of the picturesque Collayomi Valley in California:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"961\" height=\"546\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Valley-3D.jpg\" alt=\"Collayomi Valley 3D\" class=\"wp-image-96684\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Valley-3D.jpg 961w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Valley-3D-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Valley-3D-678x385.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Valley-3D-768x436.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 961px) 100vw, 961px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>All rivers flow downhill from higher to lower elevations, perpendicular to the contour line above them. As a rule of thumb, the V-shaped contour is <strong>pointing upstream<\/strong> (the opposite direction from the flow of a stream or river).   <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"769\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours.jpg\" alt=\"Napa Valley Contours\" class=\"wp-image-96685\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours.jpg 769w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-678x418.jpg 678w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 769px) 100vw, 769px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The &#8220;V&#8221; shape contours indicate streams and drainage.  As you can see, the &#8220;V&#8221; points uphill to a higher elevation.  Generally, you can connect the apexes of the upward-pointing, &#8220;V&#8221; shaped contour lines to delineate a stream.  Further to this, you can estimate a <strong>stream gradient<\/strong> by counting the number of contours that cross a stream with the contour interval.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-3D.jpg\" alt=\"Napa Valley Contours 3D\" class=\"wp-image-96663\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-3D.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-3D-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-3D-678x356.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Napa-Valley-Contours-3D-768x403.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The slope is always perpendicular to contour lines.  The less separation between contour lines means a steeper slope and vice versa.  When there are evenly spaced contours, the slope is uniform.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At a stream junction, contour lines form an <strong>&#8220;M&#8221; or &#8220;W&#8221; shape<\/strong>.  This can be interpreted as two &#8220;V-shaped contours intersecting. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about ridges and gullies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, gullies form through the erosion of running water on hillsides.  A consequence of two eroded gullies is a spur at the center on the face of a hillside that sticks out.   Both gullies and spurs run from ridgelines to valley bottoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gullies (or draws) are characterized by &#8220;U&#8221; or &#8220;V&#8221; shaped contour lines with their closed-end pointing towards higher elevation.  On the other hand, spur contour lines point toward lower elevation. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1039\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-3D.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge Gully Spur Contours 3D\" class=\"wp-image-96670\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-3D.jpg 1039w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-3D-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-3D-678x382.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-3D-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1039px) 100vw, 1039px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In 2D, these valley landscape features are a bit more difficult to see.  But it&#8217;s key to remember how ridges point downslope and gullies point upslope.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"944\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge Gully Spur Contours\" class=\"wp-image-96671\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours.jpg 944w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-300x155.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-678x350.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Ridge-Gully-Spur-Contours-768x396.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This topographical feature plays a crucial role in understanding the natural flow of water and erosion patterns in the landscape.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do contour lines never cross?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s unlikely that contours cross, but sometimes they do.  When the terrain is an <strong>overhang or cliff<\/strong>, contour lines will cross or touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cliffs in L\u00e1trabjarg, Iceland are up to 440 meters tall.  When you generate 100-meter contours, they are <em>very<\/em> close to converging.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"539\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-Contours.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff Contours\" class=\"wp-image-96676\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-Contours.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-Contours-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-Contours-678x365.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-Contours-768x414.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In 3D, you can see how steep these cliffs are. So if these contours did cross, it&#8217;s very likely an overhang.  Or it could be an error in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-3D.jpg\" alt=\"Cliff 3D\" class=\"wp-image-96678\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-3D.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-3D-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-3D-678x353.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Cliff-3D-768x400.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you use your imagination, picture an overhang where the terrain hangs outward.  This would be a rare exception when two contours that cross. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to draw contour lines manually?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can easily generate contour lines with the click of a button in <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/best-gis-software\/\">CAD or GIS software<\/a>.  But what if you want to draw it by hand?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, you have to choose a <strong>contour interval<\/strong>.  For example, we&#8217;re going to use a contour interval of 10 meters.  So this means that there will be a contour every 10 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-678x306.png\" alt=\"Manual Contour Lines Points\" class=\"wp-image-13313\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-678x306.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-768x347.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-50x23.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-80x35.png 80w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-200x90.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-425x192.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-550x248.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-115x52.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-850x384.png 850w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points-344x155.png 344w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Points.png 871w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Between transition points of ten (30, 40, 50, etc), add markers where to draw lines.  Basically, draw or interpolate between the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-678x306.png\" alt=\"Contour Lines Tick Marks\" class=\"wp-image-13314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-678x306.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-768x347.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-50x23.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-80x35.png 80w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-200x90.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-425x192.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-550x248.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-115x52.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-850x384.png 850w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks-344x155.png 344w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Tick-Marks.png 871w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now that we have points to connect, let&#8217;s draw smooth contour lines for each interval.   Essentially, we are connecting the points with lines.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"678\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-678x306.png\" alt=\"Manual Contour Lines Connected\" class=\"wp-image-13315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-678x306.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-768x347.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-50x23.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-80x35.png 80w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-200x90.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-425x192.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-550x248.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-115x52.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-850x384.png 850w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected-344x155.png 344w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Manual-Contour-Lines-Connected.png 871w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 678px) 100vw, 678px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And there we have it. Keep in mind that this is our best estimate for where to draw contour lines. GIS software would be the most precise way to generate contours in an automatic way.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do we use contour lines for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In our example, contour lines represented constant elevation and showed the topography of the landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But meteorology (isopleth), magnetism (isogon) and even drive-time (isochrones) also use contours for different purposes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The closeness of contours indicates slope. Irregular contours mean rugged terrain.  It&#8217;s rare in nature for contours to cross. But they can for overhangs and cliffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are some other types of contours you&#8217;ve seen in nature?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/sites\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/files\/earthsciences\/pdf\/topo101\/pdf\/mapping_basics_e.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Topographic Maps: The Basics<\/a>, Natural Resources Canada, 2020. Reproduced with the permission of the Department of Natural Resources, 2020.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Contour lines have constant values on them such as elevation. But it&#8217;s also used in meteorology (isopleth), magnetism (isogon) &#038; even drive-time (isochrones)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":96667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[430],"class_list":["post-12633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gis-analysis","tag-gis-concepts"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Are Contour Lines on Topographic Maps? - GIS Geography<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Contour lines have constant values on them such as elevation. 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