I believe that meteorological / climatological users are interested in "elevation"; the height above mean sea level.
Geodesists understand the difference and can make sense of the difference between elevation and altitude. Typical meteo / climate users don't typically understand the difference.
Altitude is height above an ellipsoid. So, technically, if using altitude, one need specify relative to what ellipsoid. What I have learned from JJ@geus.dk about the GPS used by PROMICE is they deliver elevation relative to the EGM96 ellipsoid.
So, to be correct, the variable name should change from something with "alt" to something with "elev"
I believe that meteorological / climatological users are interested in "elevation"; the height above mean sea level.
Geodesists understand the difference and can make sense of the difference between elevation and altitude. Typical meteo / climate users don't typically understand the difference.
Altitude is height above an ellipsoid. So, technically, if using altitude, one need specify relative to what ellipsoid. What I have learned from JJ@geus.dk about the GPS used by PROMICE is they deliver elevation relative to the EGM96 ellipsoid.
So, to be correct, the variable name should change from something with "alt" to something with "elev"
Elevation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevation Altitude: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodetic_coordinates#:~:text=Similarly%2C%20geodetic%20altitude%20is%20defined,radial%20line%20to%20the%20geocenter.