Contour Mapping
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Topographic maps , also called, ______________________ topo maps, or topo quads, are maps that show topography, or _________________________, by means of contour lines.
Contour Lines
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Contour lines are ___________________ that connect contiguous points of the same _____________________
How Steep is the Slope?
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Where the slopes are ______________________, the contour lines are closer together!
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Where the slopes are _____________________, the contours lines are further apart!
Label the steepest and gentlest areas on the map below:
Contour Interval
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difference in _____________________ between two adjacent
_________________________
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Helps determine differences in ______________________ between two points
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Usually given at the _________________ of the map.
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______________________ throughout a map (in most cases)
What is Relief?

Relief is the difference in elevation between the _________________ and
_____________________ points in a region!
Rules of Contour Mapping
1. Every point on a given ___________________ is of the __________________ elevation; that is, contour lines connect points of _______________ elevation.

2. Contour lines always close to form an irregular ___________________
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sometimes part of a contour line extends beyond the
_______________________, so that you cannot see the entire line.
3. Contour lines never _____________________.
4. Evenly-spaced contour lines represent a ____________________ slope. Closely spaced contour lines indicate a _________________ slope. (Where the slopes are steeper, the contour lines are __________________together!)
5. A concentric series of closed contours (like a ___________________ or bullseye) represents a ____________________.
6. _________________ contours have hachure marks on the downhill side and represent a closed depression (hole).
 Label the hachure marks on the diagram
7. Contour lines form a _______ pattern when crossing _________ or __________.
The ________________ of the V always points _______________ (uphill) and the river flows the ______________________
8. In cases where slope orientation changes (like on top of a ______________or in a ________________), contour lines of equal elevation will be
_______________.