Question

When contours of a different elevations cross each other, then it indicates a

• A. Pond
• B. Steep slope
• C. Vertical cliff
• D. Overhanging cliff

Hint:

Remember the golden rules of contours:
- They connect points of equal elevation.
- They never cross each other, except in the rare case of an overhanging cliff.
- They merge to a single line for a vertical cliff.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the landform represented on a contour map when contour lines of different elevations cross.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's review the basic rules of contour lines:
1. A contour line connects points of equal elevation.
2. Contour lines can never cross each other on a map, because a single point on the ground cannot have two different elevations.
However, there is one exception to this rule.

• (D) Overhanging cliff: An overhanging cliff is a rock face where the upper part juts out over the lower part. If you were looking down from directly above (as on a map), a point on the ground under the overhang would be at a lower elevation than a point directly above it on the overhang itself. On a contour map, this would be represented by the contour line of the higher elevation crossing over the contour line of the lower elevation.

• (C) Vertical cliff: For a perfectly vertical cliff, contour lines of different elevations would merge to form a single line on the map, but they would not cross.

• (A) Pond: A depression like a pond is shown by closed contours with the values decreasing inwards.

• (B) Steep slope: This is indicated by contour lines that are very close together.



Step 3: Final Answer:
When contours of different elevations cross each other, it indicates an overhanging cliff.