earth's surface; ground surface
Refers to the surface of the earth or ground, often in geographic, scientific, or descriptive contexts.
地表の温度が上がっている。
The temperature of the earth's surface is rising.
Part of the sunlight passes through the atmosphere and reaches the earth's surface.
地表から約10メートルの深さまで掘った。
We dug down to about 10 meters below the ground surface.
Volcanic ash covered a wide area of the earth's surface.
The temperature dropped suddenly near the earth's surface.
地上 emphasizes being above ground level (as opposed to underground or in the air), while 地表 focuses on the physical layer forming the earth's outer surface.
地表 refers to the surface of the earth, while 地中 refers to what lies beneath it, inside the ground.
Compound of 地 (earth, ground) and 表 (surface).