CHAPTER – 2
INTERPRETATION OF TOPOGRAPHICAL
MAPS - II
Answer the following questions
Question 1
Define Contour.
Answer
Contours are lines drawn in brown colour, joining places having the
same elevation above mean sea level. The contour lines on a map
provide a useful insight into the topography of an area.
Question 2
What is hachuring used for?
Answer
Hachures are short lines representing directions of a slope. For steep
slopes they are drawn closer together than for the gentle slopes.
They cannot be used for flat ground.
Question 3
What is a gradient? How is it determined?
Answer
The term gradient refers to the slope of the concerned feature. It is
determined by calculating the Horizontal Equivalent. Horizontal
Equivalent is the distance between the two contour lines. If it is less,
the slope is steep and if it is more, the slope is gentle.
Question 4
What are form lines?
Answer
Form lines are the contour lines drawn as broken lines which are
used to indicate the approximate heights above sea level. They are
used to indicate the elevations of the area which are not accessible
for proper survey.
Question 5
What are spot heights? How are they represented on the map?
Answer
Spot heights are points which show the height of that point from the
mean sea level. They are represented by a dot with a number beside
it. If the spot height is shown as .220, it means that the height of
that point is 220 m from the mean sea level.
Question 6
What is meant by Bench marks? How are they represented on the
map?
Answer
Bench marks are the permanent survey points shown by a stone or a
building. They show the height of that point above sea level through
accurate survey. The Bench mark is represented on the map as 'BM'
with a number beside it. For example, 'BM 230 m' shows a bench
mark with 230 m height.
Question 7
What is meant by index contours? In what way are they useful?
Answer
In a contour map, every fifth line in multiple of 20 m is accentuated
and is called the Index Contour.
Index contours make the contour map distinct. They also indicate
whether the height of the terrain is increasing or decreasing.
Question 8
Differentiate between vertical interval and horizontal equivalent.
Answer
Sl.N Horizontal
Vertical interval
o. equivalent
It is the vertical It is the horizontal
1. distance between two distance between two
contours. contour.
It varies according to
2. It is generally 20 m.
the slope of land.
Question 9
What is a grid?
Answer
The network of horizontal and vertical lines, or the Eastings and
Northings on a topo sheet is called the grid.
Question 10
What points should be kept in mind while reading a grid reference?
Answer
The Following point should be kept in mind while reading a grid
reference:
1. Origin is the south-west corner of the map. The reading on the
map is always taken with reference to this origin.
2. Eastings are always read to the East of the origin.
3. Northings are always read to the North of the origin.
4. While giving a grid reference, Eastings are always stated first,
followed by the Northings.
5. The readings are always taken to the right of the Eastings and
to the North of the Northings
Question 11(a)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A Hill flat top gentle slope
Question 11(b)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A v-shaped Valley
Question 11(c)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A Ridge
Question 11(d)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A hill with gentle and steep slope
Question 11(e)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A conical hill with steep slope
Question 11(f)
Identify and name the relief features represented in the given
diagram.
Answer
A conical hill