Tiefenlage

Tiefenlage is a German term describing the vertical position of an object or feature relative to a defined reference plane or surface. The reference can be a surface such as the ground or sea level, or a formal datum, and the depth is usually expressed in meters or feet. The concept is widely used across scientific and technical disciplines to convey how far below the reference level something lies.

In geology and geotechnical engineering, Tiefenlage denotes the depth of geological layers, horizons, boreholes, or groundwater contours. It is a fundamental parameter when characterizing rock formations, planning excavations, or assessing geotechnical stability, and it is typically recorded along a vertical axis in borehole logs or cross-sections.

In seismology, Tiefenlage is commonly used to refer to the depth of an earthquake’s focus or hypocenter beneath the Earth’s surface. Accurate depth information is essential for locating events, assessing seismic risk, and informing models of tectonic activity.

In archaeology and mining, Tiefenlage indicates how deeply artifacts, ore bodies, or mineral deposits lie beneath the surface. Determining depth is crucial for excavation planning, resource estimation, and environmental considerations.

In digital imaging and computer graphics, Tiefenlage can describe the depth of a scene element relative to a reference plane, as used in depth maps, 3D rendering, or stereoscopic visualization. The term thus spans from physical measurements in the natural environment to abstract depth representations in data processing.

See also: depth, hypocenter, depth map, borehole logging.