How is the contour line of a cliff defined?

The contour line of a cliff is defined by touching contour lines. In topography, contour lines represent elevation and the shape of the terrain on a map. When it comes to cliffs, the significant vertical drop means that the contours will be very close to each other. This proximity indicates a steep elevation change, effectively showing the vertical nature of a cliff. Thus, when two contour lines are touching, it signifies that there is an abrupt change in elevation, which is characteristic of a cliff.

Widely spaced lines would indicate a gentle slope rather than a steep cliff, while zigzag patterns typically represent a road or path rather than a natural feature like a cliff. Curved lines representing a river show the meandering flow of water across a landscape, which does not correlate with the steep nature of cliff formations. Therefore, the touching of contour lines is the accurate representation of a cliff's steepness on a topographic map.