Contour Interval and Steep Ground

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What is Contour Interval?

For example, look at the darker contour lines on Luggala or Fancy Mountain.

Note how they increase from 400m above sea level to 450m and then 500m.

They are increasing by 50m each time.

If you count the paler lines between the 400m and the 450m contour lines you will see there are four and they represent, 410m, 420m, 430m and 440m which brings us to the next 450m darker contour line.

Steep Ground

Click here to see a photograph of Scarr.

Can you spot other steep areas on this map?

Look at the area around where the word "Kanturk" is written on the map. What sort of ground would you expect to find here?

Easier Ground

In this example the contour lines in the highlighted area are further apart.

This means that the ground is less steep.

Can you spot other less steep areas on the rest of the map?

What sort of ground would you expect to find between the points marked Rock Art and Oldbridge on this map?

Cliffs

Contour lines which are very close together indicate that there is a very steep section such as a cliff in that area and that extra care should be taken especially in conditions of poor visibility such as fog or mist.

This area on Luggala in the Wicklow Mountains is in fact so steep that it is a popular rock climbing destination for experienced, properly equipped rock climbers.

Try to visualise what this part of Luggala would look like and then click here to see a photo of Luggala.
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