Land Nav Task 3 - Identify Terrain Features on a Map

Hill,
Figure C-5, Major

A
point or small area of high
ground from which the ground
slopes down in all directions.

Contour
lines forming concentric
circles.

Ridge,
Figure C-6 Major

A
line of high ground with height
variations along its crest.

Contour
lines forming a U or V; closed
end points away from high
ground.

Valley,
Figure C-7, Major

Reasonably
level ground bordered on the
sides by higher ground.
Generally has maneuver room.
Contains a stream.

Contour
lines form U. Lines tend to
parallel stream before crossing.
Contour line crossing a stream
always points upstream.

Saddle,
Figure C-8, Major

A
dip/low point along a ridge
crest; either lower ground
between two hill tops or a break
in the level crest.

A
saddle is normally represented
as an hourglass.

Depression,
Figure C-9, Major

Low
point or hole in the ground with
higher ground on all sides.

Closed
contour lines that have tick
marks pointing toward low
ground.

Draw,
Figure C-10, Minor

Like
a valley but normally has less
developed stream course. No
level ground and little or no
maneuver room. Ground slopes
upward on the sides and toward
the head of the draw.

Contour
lines are V-shaped with the
point of the V toward the head
of the draw (high ground).

Table C-3.
Major and minor terrain features

FEATURE

CHARACTERISTICS

MAP SYMBOL

Spur,
Figure C-3, Minor

Short,
continuously sloping line of
higher ground jutting out the
side of a ridge. Often Table
C-3. Major and minor terrain
features (continued)formed by
parallel streams cutting draws
down a ridge.

Contour
lines depict a spur with the U
or V pointing away from higher
ground.

Cliff,
Figure C-4, Minor

A
vertical or near vertical slope.

Contour
lines are close together or a
ticked or “carrying” contour
line (ticks point to lower
ground).