Recognising landforms

At first glance, topographic maps may A PLATEAU B ROUND HILL

appear confusing, as they contain a ffl
tsivaro
x
e
n A
An extensive area of flat land higher than the h
tsm
cfla.C
e
p
d
n
u
,ro
ig A high, round piece of land. Contours form a
lot of information and have their own land surrounding it. Contours surround an area round or oval shape.
with few or no contours.
language and symbols. Contour lines on a
topographic map join places that are the
same height above sea level. They form
patterns that show the shape of the land.
By examining the contour lines and the
distances between them, it is possible to
identify whether the land is flat or gently

fs
sloping or has steep hills and valleys.
Contour lines represent a three-
dimensional landform on a two-

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dimensional map. A skilled user of C DISTINCTIVE CONTOUR PATTERNS
topographic maps can recognise the
patterns of these contour lines and
Ridge Round hill
visualise the shapes of landform features.

Pr
850
Some of the more recognisable landforms 100 800
0 600
are shown in C . 800 400
600
D SADDLE

ge 400
120

200
0

1225

Plateau
Pa
Gr
ey
sto
ne Cliff

An area of low land between two peaks. On 1000

maps it is often the lower area between two
da
Ri
ve

circular contour patterns.

r

800
Spur
E RIDGE 600
1275 Valley
1200
an

A long, narrow piece 400

of higher ground
10

with sloping sides 800

00

200
600
Saddle
r

Contour
(contour interval 200 metres)
ca

River

400 1050 1275 Spot height (in metres)

800
Ja

F CLIFF G G VALLEY H SPUR

A finger-like ridge
that sticks out from
the side of a hill or
mountain. Contours
are U- or V-shaped,
pointing away from
high land.

Low land between hills or mountains,

usually with a river through it. Contours
A steep, almost vertical rocky slope. Contours are form a U or V shape. The bottom of the
very close together, almost on top of one another. V or U points upstream.

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 I TAMAR VALLEY, TASMANIA

44

43

42

41

40

fs
39

oo
38

BUILDING SKILLS
37

Pr
36

35

ge

Recognising landforms
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33
79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Pa
SCALE 1 : 100 000
kilometres 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 kilometres
da
r an

ACTIVITIES
ca

1 Examine the table below. Match the landform in the first column 2 Examine I and complete the following.
with the correct description in the second column. (a) What type of landform is represented in AR8740 and AR8741?
(i) Spur (ii) Cliff (iii) Saddle (iv) Ridge
Ja

Landform Description
(b) A similar landform is located in which of these places?
Gentle slope The lower area between two circular (i) AR7941 and AR7942 (iii) AR9037 and AR9136
contour patterns (ii) AR8335 and AR8236 (iv) AR9636 and AR9637
Valley Long, narrow piece of land. Contour (c) What type of landform is represented by the contour pattern at
heights descend on either side. AR8634 and AR8535?
Spur Contours form circles. (i) Spur (ii) Cliff (iii) Saddle (iv) Ridge
(d) What type of landform is represented by the contour pattern at
Steep slopes or a cliff Contours form a V shape pointing
AR9736?
uphill.
(i) Spur (ii) Round hill (iii) Valley (iv) Cliff
Small hill Contours form a V shape pointing (e) Find another similar pattern on the map and give its area
downhill. reference.
Saddle Flat area surrounded by contours that (f) What type of landform is represented by the contour pattern at
are close together AR8133?
Plateau Contours are close together. (i) Valley (ii) Ridge (iii) Hill (iv) Saddle
(g) Give area references for (i) a location on the map that is gently
Ridge Contours are far apart.
sloping and (ii) a location that is very steep.

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