Valleys
Contour lines Two Valleys on a map
A section of map which shows two examples of river valleys in the Wicklow Mountains around Knocknacloghoge (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
Contour lines Two Valleys on a map
Contour lines Two Valleys on a map
A section of map which shows two examples of river valleys in the Wicklow Mountains around Knocknacloghoge (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
We can use contour lines to help us find three valleys on this section of the map. Can you see the valleys?
Hint: Valleys will have steep ground on either side and they will often have a river running through them.
Why do you think valleys often have a river running through them?
Draw how the water flows through the Valley
Draw how the water flows through the Valley
Ridges
ridge mountain geography
Ridges such as this one in County Wicklow join high points such as mountain tops. Ridges drop away steeply on one or both sides, which makes them exciting places to walk. (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
ridge mountain geography
ridge mountain geography
Ridges such as this one in County Wicklow join high points such as mountain tops. Ridges drop away steeply on one or both sides, which makes them exciting places to walk. (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
A ridge is a line of high ground, with the land dropping away on either side. Ridges are common between two hilltops, such as between Kanturk and Scarr.
The low point on a ridge is called a 'col' or 'saddle'.
If you were walking along the ridge between Kanturk and Scarr, what do you think the ground to your right and to your left would be like?
Why do you think the low point on a ridge is called a saddle ?
Spurs
spur mountain wicklow geography
A spur is a long narrow tongue of land that drops from high ground to lower ground. Its gentle slope gives access for walkers and other users of the high ground, and provides a safe way down from the hilltops. (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
spur mountain wicklow geography
spur mountain wicklow geography
A spur is a long narrow tongue of land that drops from high ground to lower ground. Its gentle slope gives access for walkers and other users of the high ground, and provides a safe way down from the hilltops. (c) Copyright Ordnance Survey Ireland
A spur is a long, gently-sloping 'tongue' of ground that runs down from a hill to lower ground.
Spurs often provide access to and from the high ground, for walkers, for roads, etc.
You can spot a spur on the map quite easily - it looks like a long, narrow tongue of contour lines, dropping away from a mountain top or a ridge. Usually its sides will be quite steep, but its top will slope gently downwards.