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Topographic Representation of Elevation – Diagram Reference.
Didactic diagram comparing side and top views of a mountain peak. This educational graphic illustrates the relationship between a side elevation profile and a topographic (contour) map of the same landform. The diagram shows a single mountain peak, with its elevation represented both in a side view (cross-section) and as a contour map (top view). In the side view, the mountain is divided by horizontal dashed lines indicating elevation intervals in feet above sea level, ranging from 0 to 4,000 feet. This view emphasizes the slope and relative steepness of the terrain. In the top view, concentric contour lines correspond to the same elevation levels, forming closed curves that represent the shape and height of the mountain when seen from above. Each contour line connects points of equal elevation, illustrating how elevation changes with horizontal distance. This type of diagram is commonly used in cartography, geography, and geoscience education to explain how three-dimensional landscapes are represented in two-dimensional maps. It effectively demonstrates the principle that the spacing of contour lines indicates slope gradient — closer lines represent steeper slopes, while wider spacing indicates gentler inclines.