Assertion (A): Except in the case of overhanging cliff, two contour lines can not merge or intersect at a point on the map.
Reason (R): Intersection of two points means one point on the surface of the earth will have two different elevations. This
is not possible.
Assertion (A) is true: By definition, contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Under
normal circumstances, ground terrain is continuous and doesn't overlap, so two different
contour lines cannot merge or cross. The only exceptions are an overhanging cliff or a cave,
where a single vertical viewpoint projects multiple overlapping elevations onto a 2D map.
Reason (R) is true: If two distinct contour lines (representing two different elevations) were to
intersect at a normal point on a map, it would imply that a single physical point on Earth's
surface simultaneously possesses two different heights above sea level. This is physically
impossible for standard topography.
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