In land navigation, which terrain feature is a low area between hills?

• A. Hill
• B. Depression
• C. Ridge
• D. Saddle

Answer: (B)

Think about how elevation patterns create hollow spaces in the landscape. A depression is a low area that is surrounded by higher ground, like a basin or bowl tucked between hills. On a topographic map, it shows up as a closed loop of contour lines with elevations that decrease toward the center, sometimes with hatch marks indicating a hollow. This makes it the typical low spot you’d find between hills.

A hill is high ground, and a ridge is a long, narrow crest of high ground. A saddle is a low point on a ridgeline between two peaks, more like a pass than a broad basin, so it isn’t the general low area between hills.