What is a characteristic of contour lines that indicate a cut?

In topographic maps, contour lines represent elevation and terrain features. When a contour line indicates a cut (such as where a roadbed is constructed through a hill), it is depicted with tick marks extending from the cut line towards the roadbed. These tick marks are placed on the downhill side of the contour line to provide clear visual guidance about where the elevation change occurs.

The presence of these tick marks functioning in this manner allows map readers to easily identify areas of excavation where the land has been cut into to form a path or roadbed. This is crucial for understanding the terrain and for planning navigation or construction in the area. Such visual cues help distinguish between different types of landforms and their configurations, enhancing the practicality of the map in navigation or field operations.