Basic Terrain and Land Nav Terminology
Author: CptAwesome
Last updated
Author: CptAwesome
Last updated
Here is a basic list and example of terrain features and what they look like to aid in land nav and communication. There are 5 major terrain features you will encounter in land nav.
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As well as 3 "minor" or derivative features, which exist with and augment the major features.
A basic idea of how these terrain features look and function can be visualized by making a fist and open hand.
pretty self explanatory. It is a raised terrain feature that has elevation descending it on all sides
an area that stretches laterally, functionally composed of a series of Hills joining together, with the in-between areas still remaining higher than the surrounding area.
alternatively, "pass", is the lowered area between two Hills which links the two. A Saddle generally exists as part of a Ridge but it can be used to indicate other much shallower areas between two points of interest.
the opposite of a ridge. A long lateral area which has a reasonably flat "floor" that winds and runs between Hills and Ridges. Valleys are a common place for roads and other such features that require level ground.
similar to a valley, but it has the distinction of being isolated, and not running any long distance, entirely ringed by higher elevations also commonly referred to as a "bowl." Minor features exist in conjunction with major features.
is a small narrow recess that usually runs the length of a hill, and is depressed beneath the general slope of the terrain feature it derives from. It is usually very narrow, and runs to the "floor" of the valley.
the opposite of a Draw and consists of a raised area that runs away from the peak of a hill or ridgeline. They are generally much broader, and the sides are characterized as being quite steep. Useful for defilade, Spurs can provide hard cover, and defilade for rearward manuver I shouldnt need to define and illustrate a Cliff. If you're on one, you'll figure it out pretty quickly. A lot of this is common sense when you're looking right at the terrain features, but being able to ID them on a map or during planning can greatly aid your team's safe movement through terrain of all types.
