Final answer:
The magnitude of -12 feet is greater than the magnitude of -2 feet, so -12 feet is farther from sea level than an elevation of -2 feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine if -12 feet is closer to or farther from sea level than an elevation of -2 feet, we need to compare the magnitudes of the two elevations. The magnitude of an elevation is the absolute value, which is the distance from zero on the number line. In this case, the magnitude of -12 feet is 12 feet, and the magnitude of -2 feet is 2 feet. Since 2 feet is less than 12 feet, -12 feet is farther from sea level than an elevation of -2 feet.