Atopographic profile ortopographic cut orelevation profile is a representation of the relief of the terrain that is obtained bycutting transversely the lines of atopographic map. Eachcontour line can be defined as a closed line joining relief points at equal height above sea level.[1] It is usually drawn on the same horizontal scale as the map, but the use of an exaggerated vertical scale is advisable to underline the elements of the relief. This can vary according to the slope and amplitude of theterrestrial relief, but is usually three to five times the horizontal scale.
A series of parallel profiles, taken at regular intervals on a map, can be combined to provide a more complete three-dimensional view of the area that appears on the topographic map. It is evident that, thanks to computer science, more sophisticated three-dimensional models of the landscape can be made from digital terrain data.
The line of the plane defined by the points that limit the profile is called the guideline and the horizontal line of comparison on which the profile is constructed is called base.[2]
One of the most important applications of the topographic profiles is in the construction of works of great length and small width, for exampleroads,sewers orpipelines.[2]
Sometimes topographical profiles appear in printed maps, such as those designed fornavigation routes,excavations and especially forgeological maps, where they are used to show the internal structure of therocks that populate a territory.
People who study natural resources such asgeologists,geomorphologists,soil scientists and vegetation scholars, among others, build profiles to observe the relationship of natural resources to changes in topography and analyze numerous problems.[2]
Ariver orstream gradient may be derived from its elevation profile by means ofnumerical differentiation.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
 | This article related totopography is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |