Concave slope
Topic: Topographical Maps: Relief Representation and Interpretation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Topographical Maps"
Meaning
A concave slope is gentle in its lower part and steep in its upper part, so it curves inward like the inside of a bowl. On a map, its contours are wide apart near the bottom and close together near the top. From the top of a concave slope, you can see the valley floor below. This is a common exam trap, so read the spacing of the contours carefully.
Example
Mount Fuji in Japan is a classic example. Its slopes are gentle near the base and get steeper towards the summit, so its contours crowd together near the top.
Don't confuse with
- Convex slope: this is the reverse. It is steep below and gentle above, so its contours are close at the bottom and wide at the top. From its top, the valley floor is hidden.
Related concepts
- Contour line
- Contour interval
- Horizontal equivalent
- Gentle slope
- Steep slope
- Convex slope
- Undulating slope