What Do Contour Lines On A Topographic Map Show. A contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines. Contours that form a v can you tell which direction water will flow.

Contour lines show elevation and the shape of the terrain. Lines on a topographic map can be straight or curved, solid or dashed, or a combination.these lines indicate boundaries, contours, roads, streams and more. How to read a topographical map contour lines on the map also show how water will travel across the land.

They show the general shape of the terrain.

Contour intervals reveal how much vertical distance there is. A contour line is a line drawn on a topographic map to indicate ground elevation or depression. A relief map is a type of topographic map that doesn’t use contour lines. Topographic maps are created from aerial photographs and reveal the contours of the land including hills ridges and valleys as well as lakes rivers creeks trails and roads.