Contour interval on a map is defined as what?

Contour interval on a map is defined as what?

• A. Distance between contour lines
• B. Elevation change between contour lines
• C. Elevation at map center
• D. Height difference between major peaks

Answer: (B)

Contour interval is the vertical spacing of elevation between successive contour lines. In other words, it’s the fixed amount by which elevation changes from one line to the next on the map. For example, if the interval is 20 meters, each adjacent contour line sits 20 meters higher or lower in elevation than its neighbor. This vertical step is shown in the map’s legend and remains constant across the map area. The distance you see between lines on the map describes how steep the terrain appears (tight spacing means steep, wide spacing means gentle), not the interval itself. The other options describe different ideas: the elevation at a central point isn’t about the interval, and the height difference between major peaks isn’t the standardized vertical step used across contour lines.

Contour interval is the vertical spacing of elevation between successive contour lines. In other words, it’s the fixed amount by which elevation changes from one line to the next on the map. For example, if the interval is 20 meters, each adjacent contour line sits 20 meters higher or lower in elevation than its neighbor. This vertical step is shown in the map’s legend and remains constant across the map area. The distance you see between lines on the map describes how steep the terrain appears (tight spacing means steep, wide spacing means gentle), not the interval itself. The other options describe different ideas: the elevation at a central point isn’t about the interval, and the height difference between major peaks isn’t the standardized vertical step used across contour lines.