kompressionshöhe

Kompressionshöhe refers to the vertical distance from the peak of a topographic feature, such as a mountain or hill, down to the lowest point of the surrounding terrain that forms a natural base. This measurement is crucial in geography and cartography for understanding the prominence of a landform. It helps differentiate between a truly independent mountain and a mere rise in elevation on a larger massif. For example, a mountain might have a high absolute elevation but a low kompressionshöhe if it emerges from a high plateau, making it less imposing than a mountain of similar absolute height rising from sea level. The concept is also applied in geology to understand the forces that shaped the landscape and in mountaineering to assess the challenge of a climb. Determining the precise kompressionshöhe can sometimes be subjective, depending on how the "surrounding terrain" is defined, but it generally involves identifying the lowest saddle or col connecting the feature to higher ground. It's a measure of a landform's isolation and independence within its topographical context.