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Difficulty: MediumContour Lines and Relief Representation

On a topographical map, a hillside shows contour lines that are densely packed near the hilltop at higher elevations and gradually become widely spaced towards the foot of the hill at lower elevations. Which type of relief slope does this contour pattern represent?

  1. Concave slopeAnswer
  2. B
    Convex slope
  3. C
    Uniform slope
  4. D
    Terraced slope

Answer

Concave slope
The correct answer is a concave slope because contour lines that are closely spaced near the crest and widely spaced towards the base represent a steep upper slope transitioning into a gentle lower slope, which forms an inward-curving profile.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the contour line spacing at higher elevations.
Densely packed contours indicate a steep gradient near the top of the hill.
When contour lines are close together, elevation changes rapidly over a short horizontal distance.
2
Analyze the contour line spacing at lower elevations.
Widely spaced contours indicate a gentle gradient near the base of the hill.
When contour lines are far apart, elevation changes gradually over a longer horizontal distance.
3
Combine the gradient observations to identify the slope profile.
A slope that curves inward—steep near the summit and gentle near the base—is defined as a concave slope.
This physical shape corresponds to a concave profile.

Key Concept

Contour Spacing and Slope Profiles
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Topics

Contour Lines and Relief Representation

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