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intersect the edge of the paper strip. Label the tick marks with the
elevation values of the contours.

C. Select a vertical scale. On a piece of graph paper, draw in a segment of the
vertical scale having a range large enough to include the elevations all
the points (= contours) to be plotted. Label the elevation of the datum
(zero line) of the cross section (usually sea level).

Realign the edge of the strip that formerly lay along the line of profile so that it
now lies along the bottom line of the graph paper.
Plot a point for each tick mark at the appropriate elevation directly above each
contour tick mark. Connect the plotted points with a line that curves with the
shape of the land (i. e., rounded hills, V-shaped stream valleys, etc.).

1 m Contour Interval

Scale:
Horizontal 1:2000
Vertical 1:200

Point Elevation, m

Distances, m
Point number

Fig. 4.9 Diagrams illustrating the construction of a topographic profile

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