When the contour lines are widely spaced, what does this suggest about the slope?

When contour lines are widely spaced on a topographic map, it indicates a gentle or flat slope. This is because contour lines represent elevation changes in the landscape, and the spacing between these lines reflects the degree of that change. When the lines are far apart, it means that the elevation is changing gradually over a long horizontal distance, signifying that the slope is not steep.

In contrast, closely spaced contour lines indicate steep terrain, as the elevation changes rapidly over a short distance. Therefore, the wide spacing of the contour lines is a clear visual cue that the terrain is less rugged and more gradual. Understanding this relationship between contour line spacing and slope is foundational in geospatial analysis and interpretation, particularly when assessing landform characteristics and geographical features.