Contour patterns
These landscape features are displayed in the patterns that the contours make. If the contour lines are close together, they indicate that the land has a steep slope. If the countour lines are far apart, then they show that the land has a gentle slope.
More contour patterns
You are able to indentify the direction a river is flowing by looking at the contour lines. Rivers always flow downhill which means that the contour lines will be decreasing in height as the river flows. On this contour pattern here of a valley, can you see which direction the river is flowing in?
Making cross sections from contour patterns
This activity looks at making a cross-section of the different landscape features and identifying what the landscape feature looks like when viewed from the side. It helps illustrate the
shape of the landscape feature and making a cross-section of a landscape feature is an advanced map skill.
Class displays of different contour patterns.
You could print multiple copies out, stick it on to card and make a 3d class display of the different landscape features that are mentioned in the pictures. Each display comes with a definition of each landscape feature to help to learn what each feature is.
