MSA is defined in the AIM as "altitudes depicted on approach charts
which provide at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance." So, if an MSA
is 3000 ft, does that necesarily mean that there is at least one
obstacle in the area that is 2000 ft tall or could there be some other
reason for the 3000 ft setting?


"at least" means "no less than, but maybe more than, though maybe not". So, it
does not necessarily mean that there is at least one obstacle 2000 ft tall. I
don't know the actual criteria for designing these things, but wherever there
is wiggle room, expect something to wiggle and you'll be safe.


While I am at it, is there any easy way to find the obstacle in a quad
of VFR sectional that makes the quad's Maximum Elevation Feature (MEF)
at the level that is at. It is a bit of a pain to search the quad's
entire area to find that one tower


Nope. And even if you found that one tower, you are still left with that other
tower that is two feet lower, but in a different area. And the hill that
doesn't have a tower, but it tall enough by itself to qualify as the third
highest elevation (by only fourteen feet), so only has a dot.

Besides, not all towers are indicated on the chart. They say so explicitly.

You'll need to study the sectional anyway to check for parachute areas, MOAs,
ATAs, landmarks, wires, frequencies, and all sorts of other things relevant to
VFR flight and even IFR flight for that matter, especially if you are going to
graze the trees, as I like to (for the view).

Jose



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