What does a closed contour line typically indicate on a topographic map?

A closed contour line on a topographic map typically indicates a peak or hilltop. Contour lines represent lines of equal elevation, and when they form a closed loop with higher elevation values toward the center, it illustrates a rise in terrain. This means that the area within that closed contour is at a higher elevation than the surrounding land, signifying the presence of a peak or hilltop.

In contrast, a closed contour line indicating a depression would have a different design, often featuring hachures or tick marks pointing toward lower elevations. Other options such as a valley or water body would not be represented by closed contour lines; valleys are shown with contour lines that are more spread out or V-shaped, and water bodies typically appear as flat blue areas on the map, without contour lines indicating elevation changes. Thus, the characteristic of a closed contour line directly correlates with the presence of a peak or hilltop.