lowestlying

Lowest-lying (often written with a hyphen) is an adjective used to describe something that has the smallest vertical distance above a reference level, typically sea level or ground level. In geography and geomorphology, it refers to areas or features at the lowest elevations within a region. The term is commonly used when discussing flood risk, land use, and water management in low-lying regions.

Geographically, lowest-lying areas are often found along coastlines, river deltas, and basins where subsidence or geology keeps land near or below sea level. Examples include parts of the Netherlands, where polders are protected by dikes, and the Dead Sea basin, whose surface lies about 430 meters below sea level. The designation can also apply to depressions within otherwise higher terrain, such as certain river valleys or reclaimed lands that sit lower than surrounding areas. The concept is central to planning for flood defense, drainage, and climate-adaptation strategies.

In science, the term is used to describe the lowest-energy states in atomic and molecular systems. The lowest-lying excited states lie just above the ground state and play a key role in the wavelengths of light absorbed or emitted by a substance, informing spectroscopy, quantum chemistry, and materials research.

See also elevation, altitude, sea level, basins, and subsidence. Related topics include flood protection, diking and drainage infrastructure, and climate-related land loss in low-lying regions.