Which color scheme would best illustrate the variation above and below a median?

A divergent color ramp is the best choice for illustrating variations above and below a median because it uses two contrasting colors that diverge from a central neutral color, which typically represents the median or a baseline value. This color scheme effectively highlights the differences on either side of the median, making it easier for the viewer to see how data points relate to the central tendency.

For example, in a dataset where values fall above and below a median, a divergent color scheme might use a light color to represent values below the median and a darker or more vibrant color for those above it. This distinction helps to visually communicate areas of interest, emphasizing the extremes while maintaining clarity around the median.

Other color schemes are less effective for this purpose. A sequential color ramp is designed to show variations within a single range of values, typically moving from light to dark or one hue to another, which doesn't effectively communicate the concept of a median or the juxtaposition of values on either side of it. A natural color ramp is often more aligned with representing geographical data as it uses colors that correspond to natural phenomena, like land cover types, rather than statistical relationships. A monochromatic color ramp uses variations in lightness or saturation of a single color, thus lacking the ability to distinguish between areas