What does elevation refer to in geographical terms?

Elevation in geographical terms specifically pertains to the vertical distance of a point on the Earth's surface above a reference point, typically sea level. This measure indicates how high or low a location is in relation to sea level, and it is an essential concept in fields like geography, geology, and ecology. Elevation can significantly influence climate, vegetation, and human activity in a given area.

While vertical distance is indeed related to elevation, it is more precise when contextually tied to sea level to convey the specific measurement associated with elevations across different landscapes. This distinction helps differentiate elevation from other spatial measurements like geographic coordinates or horizontal distances.