Terrain Features Flashcards

Hill: Elevated area shown on maps with contour lines that create concentric circles.
Ridge: Continuous series of hills creating a sloping line of high ground.
Valley: Low area formed by streams/rivers, surrounded by high ground on three sides, typically contains running water.
Saddle: Dip between two higher areas, characterized by high ground in opposite directions and lower ground in the other two, visually represented as an hourglass.
Depression: Low-lying area or sinkhole, surrounded by higher ground, can be simply described as a hole in the ground.

Spur: Short line of elevated ground that protrudes from the side of a ridge.
Draw: Less developed stream course found between two spurs, representing a transitional terrain.
Cliff: Steep, vertical land feature where contour lines converge sharply, indicating a significant land elevation change.

Cut: Man-made feature created from cutting through elevated ground, often for roads or railroads, represented on maps if at least 10 feet high.
Fill: Man-made feature formed by filling low areas to establish roads or railroads, also shown on maps when at least 10 feet high.

Black Lines: Symbols for cultural features like buildings and roads, and surveyed elevations.
Red-Brown Lines: Denote various cultural and relief features, as well as non-surveyed spot elevations.
Blue Lines: Represent water features, including lakes, swamps, rivers, and drainage areas.
Green Lines: Indicate vegetation important in military contexts, such as woods and orchards.
Brown Lines: Show cultivated lands on specific maps, older maps denote relief features.
Red Lines: Found on older maps to classify cultural features like populated areas and main roads.