sea-level
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: Lying below the normal level; describing an area of land that is lower in elevation than the average height of the sea's surface.
Usage
The adjective "sea-level" is used to describe geographical features, particularly land, that are situated at an elevation lower than the average sea level. It often implies a location is low-lying and potentially vulnerable to flooding.
Examples
- The city is built on sea-level terrain, making it susceptible to storm surges.
- They constructed dikes to protect the sea-level agricultural fields from inundation.
- The guide warned us that the trail crosses a sea-level marsh.
Advanced Usage
- The term is frequently used in environmental and geographical contexts to discuss climate change impacts, such as: "Rising oceans threaten sea-level communities worldwide."
- It can function attributively (before a noun) as shown in the examples. It is less common in a predicative position (after a linking verb like 'is').
Variants and Related Words
- Sea level (noun phrase): The average height of the sea's surface, used as a standard for measuring elevations and depths. (e.g., "The mountain peak is 2000 meters above sea level.")
- Below sea level (prepositional phrase): Describing a location with an elevation lower than sea level. (e.g., "Death Valley is an area below sea level.")
- Low-lying (adjective): Having a low elevation above sea level; often used synonymously with "sea-level." (e.g., "low-lying coastal regions").
Synonyms
- Low-lying
- Subsiding (in specific geological contexts)
Notes on Meaning
The provided reference context, "a low-lying desert," is a typical example of a sea-level geographical feature. The core meaning consistently relates to elevation relative to the average sea surface.
Adjective
- lying below the normal level
- a low-lying desert