Characteristics of contours – The characteristics of contours are described in following statements with the help of necessary sketches.
1. All the points on contour line represent same reduced level or equal elevation from reference level as shown in sketch 1.
2. Two contour lines always forms closed circuit within the boundary of drawing sheet as shown in sketch 2.
3. When the reduced levels goes on increasing at center of contour, then it represent hill whereas when the R.L’s goes on decreasing at center, then it represent valley as shown in sketch 3.
4. The contour lines for steep slope in closely spaced while for gentle sloped ground it is widely spaced as shown in sketch 4.
5. The contour lines may intersect each other for overhanging cliff as shown in sketch 5.
6. The contour lines may overlap each other at a point for vertical cliff as shown in sketch 6.
7. The continuous increase and decrease in reduced level represents ridge and valley lines as shown in sketch 7.
8. The summit of four ridge lines represents saddle as shown in sketch 8.