Colorado Land Surveyor Practice Exam

What characterizes an Obliterated Corner?

1. A corner with traces of the original monument present

2. A corner with no visible monument traces but recoverable through evidence

3. A corner whose position is lost and cannot be determined

4. A corner that is permanently marked and easy to locate

The correct answer is: A corner with no visible monument traces but recoverable through evidence

An Obliterated Corner is characterized by its lack of visible monument traces while still having the potential to be recovered through evidence. This situation often arises when the original corner monuments have been destroyed or significantly disturbed, making them impossible to see. However, historical records, surveyor notes, and other forms of evidence can provide substantial information about the corner's original location. In practice, surveyors would utilize these data sources to establish where the corner used to be, ensuring that the land is properly surveyed and the boundaries are honored. The other choices describe different scenarios: traces of the original monument indicate a partially disturbed corner rather than obliteration, while a corner that is completely lost represents an inability to recover any evidence. Finally, a permanently marked corner suggests that it can be easily found, contradicting the essence of an Obliterated Corner, which implies the monument itself is no longer visible.