What does it mean if a contour line is dashed on a map?

What does it mean if a contour line is dashed on a map?

• A. The elevation is approximate or indefinite
• B. The elevation is exact
• C. The line marks a property boundary
• D. The line marks a road

Answer: (A)

Contour lines show points of equal elevation. A solid line marks a precise elevation, while a dashed contour line indicates that the elevation is approximate or not directly measured—it's inferred from nearby data or interpolation. So the height along that dashed line is uncertain and should be treated as an estimate. This differs from features like boundaries or roads, which use their own symbols and don’t convey measured elevation uncertainty.

Contour lines show points of equal elevation. A solid line marks a precise elevation, while a dashed contour line indicates that the elevation is approximate or not directly measured—it's inferred from nearby data or interpolation. So the height along that dashed line is uncertain and should be treated as an estimate. This differs from features like boundaries or roads, which use their own symbols and don’t convey measured elevation uncertainty.