What shape indicates a hill on a topographic map?

What shape indicates a hill on a topographic map?

• A. Concentric circles
• B. U or V shaped
• C. Hourglass
• D. Tick marks extending to roadbed

Answer: (A)

On topographic maps, elevation is shown with contour lines. A hill shows up as closed contour lines that nest inward, forming concentric circles. Each line represents a higher elevation than the one outside it, so as you move toward the center, the elevation rises and the innermost contour marks the peak. That pattern—nested, circular contours increasing toward the center—is the visual cue for a hill. Other shapes indicate different features: U- or V-shaped contours generally outline valleys or drainage features, with the point of the V pointing upstream. An hourglass shape usually signals a saddle or pass between highs. Tick marks extending to a roadbed aren’t the standard depiction of a hill.

On topographic maps, elevation is shown with contour lines. A hill shows up as closed contour lines that nest inward, forming concentric circles. Each line represents a higher elevation than the one outside it, so as you move toward the center, the elevation rises and the innermost contour marks the peak. That pattern—nested, circular contours increasing toward the center—is the visual cue for a hill.

Other shapes indicate different features: U- or V-shaped contours generally outline valleys or drainage features, with the point of the V pointing upstream. An hourglass shape usually signals a saddle or pass between highs. Tick marks extending to a roadbed aren’t the standard depiction of a hill.