_________ can be thought of as 3D mapping, which utilizes 2D or 3D line work, contours and/or points to depict elevation maps.

• A. GIS
• B. CAD
• C. Topographic mapping
• D. Photogrammetry

Answer: (C)

Topographic mapping is the practice of representing a landscape’s elevations on a map by using contour lines, spot elevations, and other features to convey height. It’s a form of 3D mapping because the elevation information is embedded in a 2D representation, allowing you to read the terrain’s shape from the contours and elevation points. Contours knit together lines of equal height to show slopes, ridges, and depressions, while points provide precise elevations at specific locations. This combination creates an elevation map that clearly communicates terrain geometry, important for planning, drainage, and design.

While GIS, CAD, and photogrammetry are valuable tools in geospatial work, the description aligns most directly with topographic mapping, which focuses on producing maps that depict elevation and terrain features through contours and elevation data.