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These lines join points having equal elevated heights, above a predetermined level, normally the. Contour lines may be either traced on a visible three-dimensional model of the surface, as when a photogrammetrist viewing a stereo-model plots elevation contours, or interpolated from estimated surface elevations, as when a computer program threads contours through a network of observation points of area centroids. In cartography, a contour line is normally called a contour. The configuration of these contours allows map readers to infer relative gradient of a parameter and estimate that parameter at specific places. A level set is a generalization of a contour line for functions of any number of variables.Ĭontour lines are curved or straight lines on a map describing the intersection of a real or hypothetical surface with one or more horizontal planes.
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When the lines are close together the magnitude of the gradient is large: the variation is steep. The gradient of the function is always perpendicular to the contour lines. More generally, a contour line for a function of two variables is a curve connecting points where the function has the same particular value. Index contours are bold or thicker lines that appear at every fifth contour line. A contour interval is the vertical distance or difference in elevation between contour lines. The contour interval of a contour map is the difference in elevation between successive contour lines. A contour line is a line drawn on a topographic map to indicate ground elevation or depression. A contour map is a map illustrated with contour lines, for example a topographic map, which thus shows valleys and hills, and the steepness of slopes. In cartography, a contour line joins points of equal elevation above a given level, such as mean sea level. Reduction of a large-scale musical idea to its essential form (such as a contour line, a specific harmonic motion, or the like).Freebase (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition:Ī contour line of a function of two variables is a curve along which the function has a constant value. Its exact height has not been determined, but the highest contour line on topographic maps, 3,720 feet (1,130 m), is usually given as its elevation.Īn isochrone is a contour line of equal time, for instance, in geological layers, tree rings or wave. Its exact height has not been determined, so the highest contour line, 3,600 feet (1,100 m), is usually given as its elevation. Is two, a level set is a curve, called a level curve, also known as contour line or isoline.Įach contour line can be defined as a closed line joining relief points at equal height. Quantity and the Greek word iso, meaning equal), in microeconomics, is a contour line drawn through the set of points at which the same quantity of output.
#CONTOUR LINE DEFINITION PLUS#
The true elevation is between that shown and the elevation plus the contour line interval which is forty feet in most instances. The 170-acre designated landmark area occurs above the 800-feet contour line.Ĭanal is an artificially-dug navigable canal which closely follows the contour line of the land it traverses in order to avoid costly engineering works such. Summit elevation has not been officially determined, but the highest contour line on the mountain is 3,520 feet (1,070 m).Ī contour line of constant salinity is called an isohaline, or sometimes isohale. Lying on the 200 metres (656 ft) contour line Cold Ashby is said to be the highest village in Northamptonshire. To as a contour line for example, if a plane cuts through mountains of a raised-relief map parallel to the ground, the result is a contour line in two-dimensional. Measures the height of a mountain or hill's summit relative to the lowest contour line encircling it but containing no higher summit within it.
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A contour line (also isoline, isopleth, or isarithm) of a function of two variables is a curve along which the function has a constant value, so that the.
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