Saddle orientation on a map is shown by which pattern?

Saddle orientation on a map is shown by which pattern?

• A. Hourglass
• B. Concentric circles
• C. U or V shapes
• D. Tick marks

Answer: (A)

On a topographic map, a saddle is the low point between two ridges. The contour lines wrap around that low point in two opposing valleys, narrowing at the saddle and widening again beyond it. This creates an hourglass-shaped pattern, which is how the map shows the saddle’s orientation—the pass sits along the narrow waist between the ridges. The other patterns don’t depict a saddle: concentric circles indicate a hill or pit, V shapes indicate valleys or drainage, and tick marks aren’t used to show saddle orientation.

On a topographic map, a saddle is the low point between two ridges. The contour lines wrap around that low point in two opposing valleys, narrowing at the saddle and widening again beyond it. This creates an hourglass-shaped pattern, which is how the map shows the saddle’s orientation—the pass sits along the narrow waist between the ridges. The other patterns don’t depict a saddle: concentric circles indicate a hill or pit, V shapes indicate valleys or drainage, and tick marks aren’t used to show saddle orientation.