What is a depression on a terrain map?

What is a depression on a terrain map?

• A. A dry stream bed
• B. A high ridge
• C. A plateau edge
• D. A low point or hole in the ground

Answer: (B)

A depression on a terrain map is a low point or hole in the ground. On topographic lines, depressions are shown by contour rings that form a closed loop with elevations decreasing toward the center. Often you’ll see hatch marks or inward-pointing short lines on the inside of those contours to indicate the land slopes down into the bottom. The innermost contour represents the lowest point, which could be a basin, sinkhole, crater, or similar feature. This is different from a high ridge (an elevated crest), a plateau edge (the boundary of a flat elevated area), or a dry stream bed (a channel that may carry water only occasionally and is not a hollow in the terrain).

A depression on a terrain map is a low point or hole in the ground. On topographic lines, depressions are shown by contour rings that form a closed loop with elevations decreasing toward the center. Often you’ll see hatch marks or inward-pointing short lines on the inside of those contours to indicate the land slopes down into the bottom. The innermost contour represents the lowest point, which could be a basin, sinkhole, crater, or similar feature. This is different from a high ridge (an elevated crest), a plateau edge (the boundary of a flat elevated area), or a dry stream bed (a channel that may carry water only occasionally and is not a hollow in the terrain).