Which term describes variables that change smoothly across space, such as elevation or temperature?

The term that accurately describes variables that change smoothly across space, such as elevation or temperature, is continuous phenomena. This concept refers to attributes that can take on any value within a given range and do not have abrupt changes. For instance, elevation gradually increases or decreases as one moves through a landscape, and temperature can vary continuously from one location to another, influenced by factors like altitude and proximity to bodies of water.

In contrast, discrete features represent distinct entities that can be counted, such as buildings, roads, or land parcels; they are not characterized by smooth transitions. Spatial data is a broader term that encompasses all types of data with geographic relevance, including both continuous and discrete variables. Static variables refer to parameters that do not change over time, which does not specifically relate to the smooth spatial variation characteristic of continuous phenomena. This distinction reinforces why continuous phenomena is the best fit for describing variables like elevation or temperature that exhibit smooth change across space.