In surveying, what does a 'closure' refer to in terms of a township's perimeter?

In surveying, 'closure' refers to the accuracy of the property boundaries, particularly in the context of determining whether the points in a survey connect back to the starting point in a specific legal description of land. It measures how precisely the lines of a survey create a closed geometric figure. When a survey is completed, surveyors check closure to ensure that the total distance calculated from the beginning point to the end point matches the intended distances based on the legal description. If the measurements return to the starting point without discrepancies, it indicates a successful and accurate survey. This process is critical in preventing boundary disputes and ensuring that property lines are legally and accurately recognized.

The other options, while related to surveying, do not define the term 'closure' as accurately. The distance between two points references a linear measurement rather than the concept of completeness of a boundary. The total area of the township pertains to land measurement rather than boundary validation. The length of the section line, although a component of township delineation, does not encapsulate the concept of closure itself.