2.5 : Elevation

Elevation

Elevation helps us measure how high or low a location is relative to sea level. This measurement provides essential information about Earth's landscapes. Elevation is key to understanding climate, vegetation, and human adaptation to different environments. A point at sea level has an elevation of 0 meters or feet. Locations above sea level, such as mountain peaks, have positive elevations. Places below sea level, like Death Valley in California, have negative elevation.

Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Scientists rely on data to understand how elevation impacts landscapes, climate, and living organisms. By collecting and analyzing real-world measurements, scientists can uncover patterns and make predictions.

You can also explore elevation by studying real-world data.

Science Tasks:

• Examine a topographic map to compare the elevations of different locations. Analyze contour lines to identify steep and flat areas.
• Use a GPS (Global Positioning System) app while walking or hiking to track elevation changes. Observe how altitude affects temperature, plant life, and breathing.
• Analyze graphs showing temperature or plant growth at different elevations.

As you analyze the data, you can consider these questions:

• Why do some plants grow only at specific elevations?
• How does elevation affect temperature and weather?

Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Elevation plays a crucial role in the functioning of our planet, influencing both large-scale and small-scale processes. When we understand how elevation affects things like climate, water flow, and what we do as humans, it helps scientists and engineers come up with solutions to different problems.

Think about it this way:

• A small hill and a tall mountain both have elevation changes, but they affect the environment differently.
• On a large scale, mountains can block clouds and change where rain falls.
• On a smaller scale, hills and valleys affect how water flows after it rains.

Studying elevation helps us understand how Earth's landforms shape ecosystems, influence weather, and affect human activities. From high mountain peaks to deep valleys, elevation plays a crucial role in shaping the world around us.