CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Is it true or false that contour lines change elevation?

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on the map scale.

4. Only in certain geographic regions.

The correct answer is: False

Contour lines themselves do not change elevation; rather, they represent specific elevations on a topographic map. Each line corresponds to a consistent elevation above a reference point, typically sea level. When interpreting contour lines, you recognize that they form a continuous representation of elevations across the terrain. Thus, when contour lines are closely spaced, this indicates a steep slope, while lines that are spaced further apart show a gentler slope. The misconception might arise from thinking that contour lines could alter their elevation, but they are simply tools for visualizing the terrain's elevation profile. Therefore, stating that they change elevation is inaccurate, since each contour line maintains a defined elevation throughout the map. The other options might imply conditional statements or geographical limitations, but the fundamental concept remains that contour lines are fixed representations of specific elevations and do not change.