What is the fundamental definition of elevation for a geographic location?

The elevation of a geographic location is defined as its height above or below a fixed reference point. This reference point is most commonly a geoid, which is a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface.

How does the term "elevation" differ from "altitude" and "depth" in geographical contexts?

The term elevation is primarily used for points on the Earth's surface. Altitude or geopotential height is used for points above the surface, such as aircraft or spacecraft, while depth refers to points below the surface.

What is a geoid, and how does it relate to the concept of elevation?

A geoid is a mathematical model representing the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface. It serves as the common fixed reference point for measuring the elevation of geographic locations.

How does the Earth's equatorial bulge affect the measurement of elevation compared to geocentric distance?

Due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, the highest elevation (like Mount Everest's summit) is not necessarily the point farthest from the Earth's center. For example, Mount Chimborazo has the largest geocentric distance, while Mount Everest has the largest elevation.

What does the image depicting vertical distances illustrate?

The image depicting vertical distances illustrates different vertical measurements, likely to help explain concepts like elevation, altitude, and depth.

How is elevation typically represented on a topographical map?

Elevation is typically depicted on a topographical map using contour lines, which connect points of equal elevation.

What is a digital elevation model (DEM) in the context of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

In a Geographic Information System (GIS), a digital elevation model (DEM) is a common way to represent the surface topography of a place. It uses a raster, or grid, dataset where each cell contains an elevation value.

Besides DEMs, what other digital representation of terrain is mentioned for GIS?

Besides DEMs, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) are also mentioned as another way to represent terrain within a Geographic Information System (GIS).

What is the purpose of the USGS's 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)?

The USGS's 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is being developed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality topographic data. It aims to provide enhanced elevation data across the United States and its territories.

What types of elevation data are included in the USGS's 3DEP?

The 3DEP program includes high-quality LiDAR data and three bare earth Digital Elevation Model (DEM) layers. These layers are nationally seamless and available at resolutions of 1/3, 1, and 2 arcseconds.

Where can aviation-related elevation information, such as aerodrome elevation, typically be found?

Aerodrome elevation, as defined by the ICAO, is usually measured in feet and can be found on the approach charts for a specific aerodrome.

What is the primary function of a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system designed to visualize, manipulate, capture, and store data associated with geographic locations, helping users understand spatial patterns and relationships.

What does the image showing an elevation histogram of the Earth's surface display?

The image showing an elevation histogram of the Earth's surface displays a histogram that illustrates the distribution of elevations across the entire surface of the Earth.

How does elevation differ from the distance from the Earth's center, using specific examples?

Elevation is height relative to sea level, whereas distance from the Earth's center is geocentric distance. Due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, Mount Everest has the greatest elevation, but Mount Chimborazo has the greatest geocentric distance from the Earth's center.

What is the significance of the image showing a topographic map of Haleakala?

The image of the topographic map of Haleakala, Hawaii, serves as an example of how elevation is visually represented on such maps, likely using contour lines or shading to indicate height variations.

What kind of data is shown in the satellite image of the Cape Peninsula?

The satellite image of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, displays elevation data, specifically from NASA's SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission), overlaid on a satellite view.

What does the heightmap of Earth's surface, shown in equirectangular projection, indicate with lighter values?

The heightmap of Earth's surface, presented in equirectangular projection, uses lighter grayscale values to represent higher elevations, while darker values would indicate lower elevations.

What is the purpose of the Wiktionary link provided in the external links section?

The Wiktionary link provides a definition and further information about the term elevation from the free online dictionary, Wiktionary.

What specific vertical datum is mentioned as a superseded United States datum?

The Sea Level Datum of 1929, also known as NGVD 29, is mentioned as a superseded United States vertical datum.

What is the Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP)?

The Normaal Amsterdams Peil (NAP), also referred to as the Amsterdam Ordnance Datum, is identified as a Dutch vertical datum.

What is Normalhöhennull (NHN)?

Normalhöhennull (NHN) is the German vertical datum, which translates literally to standard elevation zero.

What is the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88)?

NAVD 88 is the North American Vertical Datum of 1988, a specific geodetic datum used for vertical measurements in North America.

What is orthometric height?

Orthometric height is a type of vertical measurement related to elevation, often used in geodesy and mapping.

What is topographic prominence?

Topographic prominence is a measure used in geography to describe the height of a mountain or hill relative to its surrounding terrain, indicating how much it stands out.

What is topographic isolation?

Topographic isolation refers to the distance from a peak to the nearest point of higher elevation, indicating how isolated a summit is.

What is a lapse rate in the context of elevation?

A lapse rate, specifically the adiabatic lapse rate, refers to the rate at which atmospheric temperature decreases with an increase in altitude or elevation.

What is the purpose of hypsometric tints on maps?

Hypsometric tints are colors used on maps to visually represent different ranges of elevation, making it easier to distinguish varying heights across a landscape.

Geodesy is the scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the Earth, including its gravitational field, in a three-dimensional time-varying space. It is fundamental to understanding elevation and vertical datums.

GTOPO30 is a global digital elevation model that provides elevation data for the entire world, typically at a resolution of 30 arc seconds.

What is the role of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regarding elevation?

The ICAO defines specific terms related to elevation in aviation, such as aerodrome elevation, which is the highest point of an airport's landing area, and provides standards for its measurement and reporting.

How does the USGS's 3DEP program aim to improve elevation data?

The USGS's 3DEP program aims to provide enhanced, high-quality elevation data, including LiDAR and bare earth DEM layers, to meet growing needs for accurate topographic information across the United States and its territories.

What is the difference between elevation and altitude as used in aviation?

In aviation, while elevation refers to the highest point of a landing area (aerodrome elevation), altitude or height refers to the vertical distance of an aircraft or other object above a reference level, such as sea level or the ground.

What is the primary reference point used globally for measuring elevation?

The primary reference point for measuring elevation is typically a geoid, which is a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface.

How do contour lines on a topographic map relate to elevation?

Contour lines on a topographic map are lines that connect points of equal elevation, thereby illustrating the shape and height of the terrain.

What is the purpose of the See also section in the article?

The See also section provides a list of related topics, concepts, and specific datums that are relevant to the subject of elevation, encouraging further exploration of the subject.

What kind of data does the SRTM provide, as mentioned in relation to the Cape Peninsula image?

SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) provides elevation data, which is used in the satellite image of the Cape Peninsula to show the topographical features of the area.

What does the reference to Mount Everest and Mount Chimborazo highlight regarding elevation?

This comparison highlights that elevation (height above sea level) is different from geocentric distance (distance from the Earth's center), with Mount Everest having the highest elevation and Mount Chimborazo having the greatest geocentric distance due to the Earth's equatorial bulge.

What are the different resolutions of bare earth DEM layers available through the USGS 3DEP program?

The USGS 3DEP program offers nationally seamless bare earth DEM layers at resolutions of 1/3 arcsecond, 1 arcsecond, and 2 arcseconds.

What is the function of the Authority control section at the end of the article?

The Authority control section provides links to external databases (like GND and Yale LUX) that catalog and manage information about the concept of elevation, helping to ensure consistency and provide further resources.

What is the significance of the reference to the ICAO document from 1951?

The reference points to the first edition of the ICAO's AERODROMES document from 1951, which contains the definition of aerodrome elevation, indicating the historical basis for this aviation standard.

What is the purpose of the external link whatismyelevation.pro?

This external link provides a service where users can find the elevation of any specific place, acting as a practical tool for accessing elevation data.

What does the term equipotential gravitational surface mean in the context of elevation?

An equipotential gravitational surface is a surface where the gravitational potential is constant. A geoid, used as a reference for elevation, is an example of such a surface approximating mean sea level.

How does GIS help in understanding geographical data related to elevation?

GIS allows for the visualization and analysis of elevation data, enabling a better understanding of landscape patterns, relationships, and topographical features at various scales.

What is the role of LiDAR data in the USGS's 3DEP program?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data is a key component of the USGS's 3DEP program, providing high-quality, detailed elevation information, particularly for bare earth models.

What is the difference between a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) in GIS?

While both represent terrain in GIS, a DEM typically represents the surface including features like buildings and vegetation, whereas a DTM often represents the bare earth topography, excluding surface features. The source text mentions both are used to represent terrain.

What is the purpose of the hatnotes at the beginning of the article, such as 'Not to be confused with Elevator'?

These hatnotes serve to guide readers by indicating that the current page is a disambiguation page or a redirect, and that broader coverage can be found on another page (e.g., Vertical position), or to distinguish it from similar terms (e.g., Elevator).

What does the term geocentric distance refer to, as contrasted with elevation?

Geocentric distance refers to the distance of a point on the Earth's surface from the exact center of the Earth. This is distinct from elevation, which is measured relative to the geoid or sea level.

What specific elevation converter tool is mentioned in the external links?

An online elevation converter is mentioned in the external links, specifically one at the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NGS) that converts between NGVD 29 and NAVD 88 datums.

Elevation Wiki: Geodetic Heights: Understanding Elevation

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Defining Elevation

Vertical Position

Elevation refers to the height of a geographic location relative to a fixed reference point. This is most commonly a reference geoid, which serves as a mathematical model of the Earth's mean sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface.

Elevation vs. Altitude vs. Depth

While elevation is typically used for points on the Earth's surface, altitude or geopotential height denotes points above the surface (e.g., aircraft, spacecraft). Conversely, depth is used for points below the surface.

Geocentric Distance vs. Elevation

It is crucial to distinguish elevation from distance from the Earth's center. Due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, the summit of Mount Everest has the greatest elevation above sea level, while the summit of Chimborazo, closer to the equator, has the largest geocentric distance from the Earth's center.

Elevation in Aviation

Aerodrome Elevation

In aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines aerodrome elevation as the highest point of the landing area. This measurement, often expressed in feet, is critical for navigation and is detailed in aerodrome approach charts. It is distinct from altitude or height.

Mapping Elevation

Topographic Representation

Elevation is primarily visualized on topographic maps, which utilize contour lines to depict variations in terrain height. These maps provide a visual representation of the landscape's three-dimensional form.

Digital Elevation Models (DEM)

In Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Digital Elevation Models (DEM) are standard raster datasets representing surface topography. These models allow for sophisticated spatial analysis and cartographic visualization, offering a digital understanding of terrain.

Elevation Data Initiatives

USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is advancing its 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). This initiative provides high-quality LiDAR data, creating seamless bare-earth Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) across the United States and its territories at resolutions of 1, 2, and 3 arcseconds, meeting growing demands for accurate topographic data.

Related Concepts

Key Terminology

Understanding elevation involves several related concepts:

Geodetic Datum: A reference system for coordinates.
Vertical Datum: A specific reference surface for elevations (e.g., NAVD 88, NGVD 29).
Orthometric Height: Height measured along the plumb line from the geoid.
Topographic Profile: A cross-section showing the elevation changes along a line.
Topographic Prominence: The height of a summit relative to the lowest contour line that encircles it but no higher summit.
Hypsometric Tints: Colors used on maps to represent different elevation ranges.

Further Exploration

Online Resources

Explore these authoritative sources for deeper insights:

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
U.S. National Geodetic Survey (NGS)
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), Japan
What Is My Elevation
Wiktionary: Elevation

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Geodetic Heights: Understanding Elevation

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining Elevation 🌍

📍 Vertical Position

⬆️ Elevation vs. Altitude vs. Depth

📏 Geocentric Distance vs. Elevation

Elevation in Aviation ✈️

🛬 Aerodrome Elevation

Mapping Elevation 🗺️

📈 Topographic Representation

🖥️ Digital Elevation Models (DEM)

Elevation Data Initiatives 📊

🇺🇸 USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

Related Concepts 💡

📚 Key Terminology

Further Exploration 🔗

🌐 Online Resources

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Elevation

Vertical Position

Elevation vs. Altitude vs. Depth

Geocentric Distance vs. Elevation

Elevation in Aviation

Aerodrome Elevation

Mapping Elevation

Topographic Representation

Digital Elevation Models (DEM)

Elevation Data Initiatives

USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP)

Related Concepts

Key Terminology

Further Exploration

Online Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice