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Greetings!
An interesting question arose out of a conversation I enjoyed recently,
and I am hoping that one of you cartographic gurus out there may be able
to help me find the term or expression I am seeking...
 
As we all know, an Isoline (or isarithm) is a line on a map that joins
up points of equal value. Thus,
*       Isochrones join up points of equal (travel?) time;
*       Isotherms join up points of equal temperature;
*       Isobaths join up points of equal water depth;
*       Isobars join up points of equal barometric pressure;
*       Isohyets join up points of equal rainfall;
*       Isohypses, or contours, join up points of equal topographic elevation.
 
Next:  as we all know, there are some topographic maps, where the areas
between succesive contours are colour-shaded with a suitable colour ramp,
so that broad bands of elevation range are denoted (e.g. 0 - 50 m in pale
green; 51 - 100 m in darker green; 101 - 150 m in olive brown; etc, through
dark brown, purple and white for the highest elevations in mountainous terrain).
These maps are known as Hypsometric maps.
 
Okay, so our question..... if an isoline (or isarithm) is the generic term
for the lines that link points of equal value, what is the corresponding
generic name for the polygon/broad zone that lies BETWEEN succesive isarithms,
(such as the colour-coded zones on a hypsometric map)? I'm guessing at
"isopleth", but would appreciate confirmation or correction....
 
Many thanks
 
Darius Bartlett
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Darius Bartlett                                             Darius Bartlett
Department of Geography                              Roinn na Tireolaiochta
University College Cork                      Colaste na hOllscoile Corcaigh
Cork, Ireland                                                Corcaigh, Eire
 
Phone: (+353) 21 902835                               Fax: (+353) 21 271980
Internet: [log in to unmask]          WWW: http://www.ucc.ie:80/ucc.depts/geography
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