What does elevation refer to?

Elevation specifically refers to the height of a location above sea level. It is a measure used in geography and environmental science to understand how high or low a particular area is in relation to the average level of the ocean, which is considered sea level. This measurement is significant because it affects climate, weather patterns, and vegetation in an area.

Understanding elevation is also essential in various fields such as aviation, construction, and environmental studies, as different elevations can have varying implications for oxygen levels, temperature, and precipitation.

Other options, while related to geography, describe different concepts: the distance from the center of the Earth refers to a different type of measurement, depth of the ocean specifies how far below sea level something is, and latitude identifies a location's position in relation to the equator, which does not denote height or elevation. Thus, the right answer accurately captures the definition of elevation in a geographical context.