uppdrift

Uppdrift is a Swedish noun referring to the act or result of lifting or rising. The word is formed from upp meaning "up" and drift meaning "movement" or "course"; in Swedish it is used in technical contexts to describe upward movement or elevation of a body or surface relative to its surroundings. It is less common in everyday language, with more general terms such as upphöjning or höjning often preferred for simple elevation.

In geology and geophysics, uppdrift can denote the vertical uplift of the crust caused by tectonic forces or isostatic rebound after the removal of heavy loads such as glaciers. In engineering and construction, the term can describe deliberate lifting or elevation of components or structures during installation or maintenance. In meteorology, the analogous process of vertical ascent of air is usually described with other terms in Swedish, although some writers may use uppdrift in broader discussions of vertical motion.

Translations to English typically include "uplift" or "elevation." The precise meaning therefore depends on the disciplinary context in which it appears. See also uplift, isostatic rebound, tectonics, and vertical movement.