For steep slopes depicted by ticked contour lines, the ticks point toward what?

For steep slopes depicted by ticked contour lines, the ticks point toward what?

• A. Higher ground.
• B. Water direction.
• C. Lower ground.
• D. The ridge.

Answer: (C)

Ticks on contour lines indicate the downhill direction. The short marks are positioned on the side of the line that faces lower ground, so they point toward lower elevation. In other words, following the ticks takes you downslope. This helps you orient yourself on steep terrain and identify where the valley or depressions lie. The marks don’t indicate higher ground, water flow direction, or the ridge itself—those features are understood from the contour layout, not the tick marks.

Ticks on contour lines indicate the downhill direction. The short marks are positioned on the side of the line that faces lower ground, so they point toward lower elevation. In other words, following the ticks takes you downslope. This helps you orient yourself on steep terrain and identify where the valley or depressions lie. The marks don’t indicate higher ground, water flow direction, or the ridge itself—those features are understood from the contour layout, not the tick marks.