korkeuskäyrät

Korkeuskäyrät, also known as contour lines, are lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation. They are a fundamental tool in cartography and geography for representing the three-dimensional topography of the Earth's surface on a two-dimensional map. The closer the contour lines are to each other, the steeper the slope of the land. Conversely, widely spaced contour lines indicate a gentler slope or relatively flat terrain.

Contour lines have a specific contour interval, which is the difference in elevation between consecutive lines. This interval is usually stated in the map's legend and is crucial for accurately interpreting the elevation changes depicted. For example, if the contour interval is 10 meters, each line represents a 10-meter increase or decrease in elevation. Index contours are typically thicker lines that appear at regular intervals, making it easier to read elevations at a glance.

Special contour lines exist to represent certain features. Depression contours, which have hachure marks pointing inwards, indicate an area of lower elevation, such as a crater or a sinkhole. Ridge lines and valley lines can often be inferred from the pattern of contour lines, with V-shaped patterns pointing upstream indicating valleys and rounded patterns indicating ridges. Understanding korkeuskäyrät allows for the interpretation of terrain, planning routes, and analyzing geographical features.