Which method is typically used to measure the slope of a terrain on a topographic map?

The method typically used to measure the slope of terrain on a topographic map is through contour intervals. Contour lines represent areas of equal elevation, and the spacing between these lines indicates the steepness of the slope. When contour lines are closely spaced, it signifies a steep incline, while widely spaced lines indicate a gentler slope. This relationship allows for an intuitive visual assessment of terrain steepness, making contour intervals a fundamental tool for understanding topography.

While vertical segmentation, gradient assessments, and elevation layers might be related to analyzing terrain, they do not serve the same direct function in providing a clear and immediate interpretation of slope as contour intervals do. Vertical segmentation often refers to dividing data based on elevation but does not explicitly measure slope. Gradient assessments, while they can be used to analyze differences in elevation, are generally more quantitative and not derived directly from the visual information on a topographic map. Elevation layers might describe varying heights, but without the context provided by contour intervals, they don't explicitly offer an understanding of slope.