meternivå

Meternivå is a term used in Nordic languages to denote a vertical height expressed in meters relative to a reference datum, typically mean sea level or a local geodetic zero plane. The word combines meter with nivå (level). In practice, meternivå acts as a convenience label for height measurements used in surveying, construction, civil engineering, and environmental monitoring.

Its usage varies by country. Some jurisdictions treat meternivå as synonymous with height above mean sea level (MSL) or above a local datum, while others use it to refer to a project-specific reference plane. Measurements are obtained with leveling instruments, total stations, or GNSS positioning with corrections to a chosen vertical reference (datum). To compare elevations from different sources, conversions between datums or models of the geoid or tide are necessary.

In mapping and land development, meternivå figures are used to determine flood risk, drainage design, and the placement of infrastructure. In maritime contexts, sea level or run-off levels define critical thresholds for harbor operations and coastal planning. Certification and regulations may require reporting elevations in meternivå to ensure consistency with local standards.

Evolving geodetic models and tide data influence meternivå values through time, so updates to datums or geoid models can change the interpreted height of a point. See also elevation, altitude, vertical datum, mean sea level, and geoid.