Which measurement scale should be used to measure sea-level?

The appropriate measurement scale for measuring sea level is the interval scale. This is because sea level can be quantified with a meaningful difference between the values; for instance, there is a specific and defined difference in value between sea levels at different points.

In the case of sea level, the measurements can be represented on a scale that indicates temperature or time, where the zero point is arbitrary and doesn’t indicate the absence of sea level. For example, sea levels can rise or fall, and the difference between any two measurements is constant and meaningful regardless of where zero is set.

Additionally, an interval scale allows for the calculation of mean values and the determination of how much more one measurement is than another, making it useful for scientific measurement and comparison. The absence of an absolute zero point, as is present in true ratio scales, differentiates interval scales from ratio scales. Therefore, the application of an interval scale is suitable for capturing the variations in sea level accurately.