The Furnace Creek Airport in Death Valley, California, has an elevation of 64 meters below sea level. The lowest point in New Orleans, Louisiana, has an elevation of -2 meters. What is the difference between the elevation in New Orleans and the elevation at the Furnace Creek Airport?
1. 66 meters
2. 62 meters
3. -66 meters
4. -62 meters
3. -66 meters
To find the difference between the two elevations, we subtract the elevation of Furnace Creek Airport (-64 meters) from the elevation of the lowest point in New Orleans (-2 meters):
-2 meters - (-64 meters) = -2 + 64 = 62 meters
Since the elevation in New Orleans is lower than the elevation at Furnace Creek Airport, the difference is negative. Therefore, the correct answer is -66 meters.