Syvyysarvo

Syvyysarvo is a Finnish term for a numerical value that expresses depth, defined as the vertical distance below a reference surface or datum. In practice, the syvyysarvo describes how deep a point or layer lies relative to a specified zero level, such as mean sea level, the ground surface, or a sensor baseline. The concept is used across disciplines that require vertical distance measurements, including oceanography, geology, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering, and surveying.

Depth values are obtained with depth-sensing instruments and methods appropriate to the field. In marine and freshwater contexts, sonar or echo-sounding devices measure depth to the seabed or bedrock. In geology and hydrogeology, borehole logging and down-hole sensors determine depth to various layers or to groundwater. Depth is usually expressed in meters (m), but other units such as centimeters or feet may be used in legacy data. The convention may designate depth as positive downward from the reference surface or, in some datasets, as positive upward; consistency within a dataset is essential.

Syvyysarvo is used in mapping, modeling, and planning. In bathymetry, it defines seafloor topography; in groundwater studies, it marks depth to water table; in construction and mining, it indicates burial depth of pipes, foundations, or mineral seams. The accuracy of a syvyysarvo depends on instrument resolution, measurement conditions, and the choice of reference datum, and is typically accompanied by an estimate of uncertainty.