How to Find Contour Interval on a Map?

Contour traces are spaced by way of contour intervals and characterize areas on land that lie the equal distance above sea level, taken to be zero ft (0') through convention. That ability that if you have been to exactly comply with the course proven with the aid of a contour line – which is frequently however now not constantly a closed loop – your elevation would now not alternate at all even as the surroundings round you probably various notably at some point of your trip.

What is Contour Interval?

A contour interval is a vertical distance or the distinction in the elevation between the two contour traces in a topographical map.

Generally, there are more than a few contour intervals for a variety of maps. Taking the vicinity to be mapped, contour intervals are considered. In each and every map, on the right-hand backside side, the contour interval is described. In many instances utilized contour interval is 20 toes for a 1:24,000 map scale.

In the above figure, the darkish traces with analyzing are index contour lines. The calculation of the contour intervals is as below:

Step 1:

Firstly discover two index contour strains that are labeled with a particular elevation.

Step 2:

Now calculate the distinction between the two-selected index contour line chosen from a map. To take the difference, subtract the greater accelerated line with the decreased improved line reading.

Step 3:

No matter the quantity of non-index strains contours traces between the two index contour traces chosen for the contour interval calculating in the 1st step.

Step 4:

The range of traces bought in the above step is taken and brought with 1. For Ex: If the variety of strains between two index traces are 5. Then add 1 to 5 which will become 6.

Step 5:

the remaining step is the quotient of the distinction between two index traces (step 2) and the wide variety of traces in between two index strains plus 1 (step 5).

Also Read: Standard Counter Height

Calculation Of Contour Interval

These index strains will be referred to with their elevation. Discover the elevations of two adjoining index lines. The largest variety shows the uphill rise. Locate the distinction between the two elevations.

A contour map incorporates contour strains of a given geographical region. To preserve the contour map handy and comprehensible to read, no longer each contour line is marked with its elevation reading.

Uses Of Contour Interval In Surveying

The makes use of of contour interval in surveying are as follows,

• Interval is utilized when a giant house is to be mapped to a small piece of paper.
• A greater interval is utilized for a large place and smaller intervals for a smaller area.
• In a large map, index contour strains are plenty much less to preserve the map and are easy to learn.
• To discover the top of the intermediate point, the interval is utilized.
• Earthquake estimation for the dam, bridge, or avenue can be located with the assist of contour intervals inside the map.
• As intervals are for the computation of the vertical elevation of an area, a comparable way to compute the horizontal distance is termed Horizontal Equivalent.
• The horizontal distance between two factors on two consecutive contour strains for a supplied slope is regarded as the horizontal equivalent.

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Advantages of Contour Interval

• It suggests the slope and measurement of exceptional landforms on the map.
• By searching at the contour intervals it is effortless to calculate the a variety of elevations of the landscape.
• It can be utilized in drawing cross-sections of the unique elements on the mapped area.

Disadvantages of Contour Interval

• Contour fail to symbolize a few of the heights due to the trouble of the vertical interval.
• Some of the landforms can't be represented by means of making use of contours. For instance coral reef, outcrop rock, and craters.
• The contour technique is now not utilized to signify remedy on a small-scale map as it may additionally uncertain a few details.

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