denivelation

9.9

The difference in height between two points, often the highest and lowest parts of a cave

noun
/ˌdɛnɪvəˈleɪʃən/

Specialized

: denivelación

Geologists measured the denivelation between the entrance and the deepest chamber of the system.

Examples

The denivelation of the cave makes exploration challenging for inexperienced spelunkers.
The record for the greatest denivelation in a single cave system is held by Krubera Cave.
The denivelation is impressive!
This cave has a large denivelation.
Geologists measured the denivelation between the entrance and the deepest chamber of the system.
The denivelation of the cave makes exploration challenging for inexperienced spelunkers.
The record for the greatest denivelation in a single cave system is held by Krubera Cave.

How High

altitude

192 4.0

denivelation

Specialized

9.9

height

124 1.0

rise

47 2.4

Surface Forms

denivelation singular

denivelations plural

Morphology

denivelation = de + nivel + ation

Although it appears to be de- + nivel + -ation, the root 'nivel' is not a productive English word (borrowed from French/Latin), so English learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the components.

Etymology

Denivelation comes from parts that mean 'down' (de-) and 'level' (nivel), and it is linked to the everyday word level. So it refers to the 'difference in height' or depth between two points, which is why we use it for the change in height in caves or on land.