Explain "topographic survey."

A topographic survey is specifically designed to illustrate the three-dimensional features of a land area, emphasizing elevation and contour lines. This type of survey captures variations in terrain, such as hills, valleys, and slopes, and displays them on maps through contour lines that connect points of equal elevation. Such detailed topographic data is essential for engineers, architects, and planners during site development, as it allows for optimal land use, effective water drainage design, and accurate planning for construction projects.

While other survey types focus on different aspects—like examining underground utilities or studying soil properties—a topographic survey is distinctly oriented towards surface features and elevation changes, forming the backbone of many design and planning processes in civil engineering and land development. This emphasis on physical elevations makes it clear why the survey showcasing land contours and elevation is correctly described in that option.