GeoTutor: Interpreting Topographic Maps On a topographic map, the shape of a lan

Question

GeoTutor: Interpreting Topographic Maps On a topographic map, the shape of a landscape is represented with contour lines-lines that connect areas of equal elevation. Contour lines are a way to describe three-dimensional landscapes in two dimensions. The elevation of contour lines is measured as the distance above sea level, even in areas that are thousands of miles from a coast. In the figure below, which shows a landscape (top) and a topographic map of that landscape (bottom), you can see that when contour lines are close together, elevation is changing rapidly over an area, meaning the slope is steep (see point B in the figure below) When contour lines are far apart, elevation is changing gradually over an area, meaning the slope is gentle (see point C). Contour lines usually do not cross or intersect each other, but they do intersect rivers and streams where they form V-patterns pointing in the upstream direction. Contour lines form concentric circles indicating a hill or mountain (see point D). Circular contour lines with hatched marks indicate a depression. Topographic maps are useful for geologists, other scientists, and anyone exploring outdoors because they describe the types of geologic features that one will encounter in a landscape, as well as rivers, lakes, and other water resources. OCEAN 1 mle Elevation in feet above mean sea level

Explanation / Answer

E (1000 m) > A (600 m) > B (400 m) > C (200 m) > D (0 m)

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