The height of a place above the sea level is known as __
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The height of a place above sea level is known as altitude.
Altitude refers to the vertical distance between a point on Earth’s surface and the average level of the sea, also called sea level. Sea level is the reference point used for measuring the height of landforms or locations on Earth. It is considered the baseline for calculating the altitude of mountains, valleys, and other land features.
When measuring altitude, the value can be either above or below sea level. Locations above sea level have a positive altitude, while locations below sea level (such as the Dead Sea) have a negative altitude. The Earth’s surface is not uniform, so altitude can vary dramatically over short distances. For instance, the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth, has an altitude of about 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, while the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in Earth’s oceans, lies about 10,994 meters (36,070 feet) below sea level.
Altitude plays a significant role in many fields, including geography, meteorology, and aviation. For example, in aviation, altitude is essential for flight safety and navigation, determining the height at which an aircraft is flying above the Earth’s surface. In meteorology, altitude influences weather patterns, with higher altitudes generally being cooler than lower altitudes due to the thinning of the atmosphere.
The effects of altitude on human physiology are also notable. At high altitudes, the oxygen concentration in the air decreases, which can lead to altitude sickness, characterized by symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Thus, understanding altitude and its impact is essential in various scientific and practical fields.
