Contour lines form V shapes that point in which direction when rivers are present?

Contour lines form V shapes that point in which direction when rivers are present?

• A. Upstream
• B. Downstream
• C. Toward source
• D. Away

Answer: (A)

Contour lines show elevation, and in a river valley the land rises toward the ridges on either side. Where a river cuts through the valley, the contour lines bend into a V, and the tip of that V points toward higher ground—the upstream direction or toward the river’s source. Since the river flows from source to mouth (downstream), the V points opposite the flow. So the direction indicated by the V is upstream.

Contour lines show elevation, and in a river valley the land rises toward the ridges on either side. Where a river cuts through the valley, the contour lines bend into a V, and the tip of that V points toward higher ground—the upstream direction or toward the river’s source. Since the river flows from source to mouth (downstream), the V points opposite the flow. So the direction indicated by the V is upstream.