What type of information is gathered from a topographic survey?

A topographic survey is primarily focused on capturing the physical features of the land, specifically its contours and elevations. This type of survey provides detailed information about the terrain's shape and features, including hills, valleys, and other landforms, which are essential for various engineering and construction projects. Understanding the land's contours helps engineers and planners assess drainage patterns, design structures that fit the landscape, and develop effective land use plans.

In contrast, soil composition results fall under geotechnical assessments rather than topographic surveys and are not directly provided by the contours and elevations collected in this survey type. Weather data trends pertain to atmospheric conditions over time and are entirely unrelated to the physical attributes that topographic surveys collect. Lastly, construction material types are specific to the materials chosen for building and do not provide the topographical information regarding the land's surface and its variations. Thus, the crucial aspect of a topographic survey is indeed the land contours and elevations.