Understanding the Concept of Sea Level in Relation to Mountain Height

  • Thread starter Thread starter Julian Solos
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Sea level
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "sea level" and its application in measuring mountain heights, particularly focusing on the definition of sea level, its variability, and how it relates to different geographical locations. Participants explore theoretical, conceptual, and practical aspects of sea level measurement.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants define sea level as an arbitrary zero point, questioning whether it is based on local measurements or an average of various locations.
  • There is a discussion about the relationship between sea level and the geoid, with references to geodesy and modern GPS technology for determining sea level.
  • Some participants raise the issue of tides and how they affect the measurement of sea level, suggesting that sea level is averaged out for tidal variations.
  • One participant points out that while Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level, it is not the tallest when measured from its base, comparing it to Mauna Kea and Chimborazo.
  • Concerns are raised about how to measure sea level at different locations, including the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Erie, with some participants noting the challenges of determining a universal sea level reference.
  • There is mention of using tide gauges and satellite altimetry for measuring sea levels, with discussions on the accuracy and methods of these measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the definition and measurement of sea level, with no consensus reached on whether sea level is a local or universal reference point. The discussion remains unresolved on several technical aspects, including the implications of tides and geographical variations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding sea level, including the dependence on local conditions, the averaging of tidal effects, and the complexities involved in measuring sea level across different geographical locations.

  • #31
Amazing GRACE

Nereid

Amazing GRACE :wink: and GOZE and breath taking results:

GOCE_S_C2_geoid_bg_L.jpg


Notice that the deep red areas are more or less -very roughly- antipode. That reminds me of another World map in relation to sea levels:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/bijkerk/palaeogeography.GIF

With a little imagination you could draw an oblique geographic world from that, the poles being in the centre of the blue spots, the equator following the big orange wave. Aint it curious?

This is the origine of that second pic: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/295/5564/2438
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
  • #32
Andre said:
some usefull links for Dutch sea level history:

http://www.ncg.knaw.nl/SubBZ/BeginSubBZ.htm
http://hanserren.cwhoutwijk.nl/co2/denhelder.html
That second link is very interesting. Actually I just remember now.. a few weeks ago there was a very stormy western wind. I was at the west of the IJsselmeer (a lake) and the water level was SO low! that you could actually go down and walk on the bottom of the lake for a considerable length from the bank.. reminded me of that tale where the water parted and Jesus walked across a lake.. sounds very possible in such a scenario :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

What does gravity have to do with sea level?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K
Discovering 43,000 Seamounts: Insights from Satellite Scans of Sea Levels
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Measuring Earth and its Mountains
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Looking for formulations used in sea level calculations
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How does the loss of sea ice affect Earth's temperature?
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
9K
High School Time dilation for two clocks at different altitudes on Earth
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
New Seamount discovered off coast of California
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Cloud Altitude: Understanding the Height Range of Clouds
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Mag 7.8, 7.5, 6.7 and 6.0 earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
Does climate change affect air density at altitude (scale height)?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K