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The Continental Divide is actually the area which separates westward-flowing streams from eastward-flowing waters. It is often times also considered the Rocky Mountains which in all actuality make up the area.

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17y ago
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6mo ago

The exact line of the Continental Divide was determined based on the natural topographic feature of elevated terrain where precipitation falling on one side flows towards one ocean, and precipitation falling on the other side flows towards another ocean. This line was mapped and marked by early explorers, geographers, and surveyors using a combination of field observations, scientific measurements, and mapping techniques.

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14y ago

It didn't form as a continental divide. Every little hillock has streams flowing down in different directions. If they meet a steeper river going in a different direction the water goes there, whether it is towards lowlands or through a gorge of more easily eroded rock in the mountains.

The continental divide is just the line where none of the steepest rivers cut back over the line. This will change with time as other areas get uplifted, and the continental divide area gets eroded, and eventually it is easier for a river to change direction and go across the divide.

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Q: How was the exact line of the Continental Divide determined?
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What is the dividing line between atlantic and pacific watersheds?

The continental divide serves as the dividing line between Atlantic and Pacific watersheds in North America. This ridge runs along the Rocky Mountains and separates the direction in which water flows towards the Atlantic Ocean from the water flowing towards the Pacific Ocean.


Are the Continental Divide and the rocky mountains are different land forms?

Yes, the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains are different landforms. The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range that spans western North America, while the Continental Divide is an imaginary line that determines the flow of rivers either east or west on the continent. The Continental Divide runs along the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in North America.


What best explain the significance of the continental divide?

It has no 'purpose' it is a natural occurring division. The continental divide is a line that runs down through the Rocky Mountains and on the west side of the line rivers and streams flow down toward the Pacific Ocean and on the east side of the line rivers and streams flow towards the Atlantic Ocean.


What does the Continental Divide of the Americas refer to?

The Continental Divide of the Americas, typically called the Continental Divide, is a line running from the Bering Strait southward through the entirety of North, Central and South America that divides river systems flowing into the Pacific Ocean from those that empty into the Atlantic Ocean or, in the extreme northern regions of North America, the Arctic Ocean.


In which state is the continental divide located?

The continental divide is not in any single state. It is a line rather than a point. In the United States it runs south from Montana, along part of the Idaho-Montana state line and then through Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.The continental divide is basically the Rocky Mountains running through many states, not just oneMontana

Related questions

Is the Continental Divide in North Dakota?

The Great Continental Divide is not in North Dakota but the Laurentian one does. On the map above, that is the green line.


Where is the continental drive located?

The continental divide is also known as the Great Divide. It is an imaginary line that separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Pacific Ocean.


What is the dividing line between atlantic and pacific watersheds?

The continental divide serves as the dividing line between Atlantic and Pacific watersheds in North America. This ridge runs along the Rocky Mountains and separates the direction in which water flows towards the Atlantic Ocean from the water flowing towards the Pacific Ocean.


In North America the line that separates rivers which flow to the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico from those which flow to the Pacific is called the what?

It is known as the Continental Divide.


What is the dividing line between Atlantic and pacific?

Continental Divide is the drainage that divides sea or ocean. The Great Divide or the Continental Divide of the Americas is the division of the Pacific Ocean watersheds from the Atlantic and Arctic.


What is the continental divide's function?

A geographic feature does not have a "function" - it was not placed there to do something, it just is. The continental divide is an area or line on different sides of which rivers will drain into different oceans.


An imaginary line that runs along the peaks of the Rocky Mountains is known as the?

continental divide


What imaginary line separates water that flows into the Pacific Ocean from water that flows in to the Atlantic Ocean?

The Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean is divided by the Great Divide. The continental divide is an imaginary drainage line.


What is the diving line between the Atlantic and pacific watershed?

The Great Continental Divide, which mainly follows the general line of the Rocky Mountains.


Are the Continental Divide and the rocky mountains are different land forms?

Yes, the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains are different landforms. The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range that spans western North America, while the Continental Divide is an imaginary line that determines the flow of rivers either east or west on the continent. The Continental Divide runs along the peaks of the Rocky Mountains in North America.


What is median on a line graph?

It is the exact point in the middle of the line segment. Add the 'x' values together , and divide by 2 ,and then add the 'y' values and divide by 2. This will give you the median of a line segment.


What best explain the significance of the continental divide?

It has no 'purpose' it is a natural occurring division. The continental divide is a line that runs down through the Rocky Mountains and on the west side of the line rivers and streams flow down toward the Pacific Ocean and on the east side of the line rivers and streams flow towards the Atlantic Ocean.