Question

You want to determine if one peak is steeper than another peak, based on a topographic map. What would you see on the steeper peak?

-Contour lines that are closer together.
-Contour lines that are farther apart.
-Contour lines that are higher elevations.
-Contour lines in the shape of a V.

Answer 1

Contour lines determine the steepness of the land by how close they are together. Generally, contour lines rise to a particular scale (e.g. a line for every ten metres), therefore, if the contour lines are closer together then the height of that particular area has risen more steeply than if the contour lines are further apart where the steepness has increased more gradually.