Dictionary Definition
hypsography
Noun
1 the scientific study of the earth's
configuration above sea level (emphasizing the measurement of land
altitudes relative to sea level)
2 measurement of the elevation of land above sea
level [syn: hypsometry]
Extensive Definition
Hypsography studies the distribution of elevations on the surface of
the Earth,
and is sometimes applied to other rocky planets such as Mars or Venus. The
term originates from the Greek word
"hypsos" meaning height. Most often it is used only in reference to
elevation of land but a complete description of Earth's solid
surface requires a description of the seafloor as well. Related to
the term hypsometry,
the measurement of these elevations of a planet's solid surface are
taken relative to mean
datum, except for Earth
which is usually taken relative to the mean sea
level.