Meters above sea level

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Meters Above Sea Level is a standard metric measurement of the elevation of a location in reference to mean sea level.

Contents 1 Uses 2 How determined 3 Other measurement systems 4 Abbreviations 5 References

[edit] Uses

Meters above sea level is the standard measurement of the elevation or altitude of:

• a geographic location such as a town, mountain, or other landmark
• the elevation of the top of a building or other structure
• or the altitude of an airplane or other flying object.

[edit] How determined

The elevation or altitude in Meters above sea level of any location, object, or point, can be determined in a number of ways. The most common include:

• Global Positioning System (GPS) which triangulates its location in reference to multiple satellites
• an altimeter, which typically measures atmospheric pressure, which decreases as altitude increases.
• a topographic map or digital elevation model map, for which elevations have been determined by aerial photography or geologic surveys.

[edit] Other measurement systems

feet above sea level is the most common analogue for meters above sea level in the American measurement system.

[edit] Abbreviations

Meters above sea level is sometimes abbreviated as m.a.s.l.^[1] or m.s.l.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Ricardo Bressani, Ricardo; Carlos Chon (1996). "Effects of altitude above sea level on the cooking time and nutritional value of common beans". Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (Formerly Qualitas Plantarum) 49 (1): 53–61. doi:10.1007/BF01092522. 
2. ^ Meters above Sea Level - What does MSL stand for? Acronyms and abbreviations by The Free Online Dictionary.. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.