Final answer:
Short tapered lines drawn on a map radiating from higher ground are known as contour lines, which indicate elevation and the shape of the terrain on a topographic map. Contour lines that are close to each other represent steeper areas, and patterns of these lines can show features like ridges or mountains.
Step-by-step explanation:
The short tapered lines drawn on a map radiating from higher ground are known as contour lines. These lines are used in topographic maps to represent the shape and elevation of the terrain. The closer these lines are to one another, the steeper the terrain they represent.
Additionally, the contour interval, or the difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines, is critical for understanding the map's scale and the terrain's steepness. On a topographic map, prominent features like mountains or ridges are often easy to identify by looking at the pattern of the contour lines, which might appear roughly parallel along a ridge or densely packed on a steep slope.