Contour lines close together indicate what about slope?

Contour lines close together indicate what about slope?

• A. Contour lines close together indicate a steeper slope
• B. Contour lines far apart indicate a steeper slope
• C. Contour lines color indicates slope
• D. Contour lines thickness indicates slope

Answer: (C)

Contour line spacing on a topographic map shows how steep the terrain is. When lines are close together, elevation changes quickly over a short horizontal distance, signaling a steep slope. When the lines are far apart, the elevation changes more slowly, indicating a gentle slope. Color or line thickness isn’t a standard indicator of slope on a typical topo map, so a statement that contour line color indicates slope isn’t correct. Use the pattern of spacing to judge steepness: tightly packed lines mean steep terrain, widely spaced lines mean gentle terrain.

Contour line spacing on a topographic map shows how steep the terrain is. When lines are close together, elevation changes quickly over a short horizontal distance, signaling a steep slope. When the lines are far apart, the elevation changes more slowly, indicating a gentle slope. Color or line thickness isn’t a standard indicator of slope on a typical topo map, so a statement that contour line color indicates slope isn’t correct. Use the pattern of spacing to judge steepness: tightly packed lines mean steep terrain, widely spaced lines mean gentle terrain.