The highest peaks are scattered throughout the continents of the globe. Climbers collectively call them the “Seven Summits.” Each of them was first conquered in 1985 by Richard Bass.
The largest mountains on earth
The table below shows the highest mountain peaks in the world.
No. | Name | Mountain system | Location | Altitude in meters above sea level |
Everest (Qomolungma) | ||||
Karakoram | Pakistan, China | |||
Kanchenjunga | India, Nepal | |||
Jaulagiri | ||||
Nangaparbat | Pakistan | |||
Annapurna |
Mountain systems are numerous. But where are the biggest mountains? From the above insignificant list it is clear that the most majestic peaks are located in the Himalayas.
Highest points of the world
Every continent on the planet has its own famous mountain peaks:
- Everest is the highest peak in Asia (the largest mountain in the world);
- Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America;
- McKinley is a giant mountain in North America;
- Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak;
- Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe (and Russia);
- The Vinson Massif is a giant located in Antarctica;
- Puncak Jaya is the largest mountain in Australia and Oceania.
Mountain peaks of different continents of the Earth
Mount Aconcagua is the tallest natural structure in the South American Andes. Its height is 6962 m. In addition, this mountain is the largest extinct volcano on the planet.
McKinley is located in North America. It rises 6194 meters above sea level.
In hot Africa there is the snowy mountain peak Kilimanjaro, which has a height of 5895 m. It is the highest point in Africa. Fantastic landscapes open up from the heights of these mountains. Due to global warming, the snow on the summit is also rapidly melting here.
Elbrus is the highest peak not only in Russia, but also in Europe. This mountain is a cone formed from a once extinct volcano. Its height is 6642 meters. From the top of Elbrus, fabulous landscapes of snow-white snow caps and a veil of light clouds open up.
The largest peak in Asia and, accordingly, the largest mountain in the world is the famous and unrivaled Everest.
Cold, icy Antarctica also has a similar attraction. The Vinson massif was discovered in the middle of the 20th century. Its height is 4892 meters.
The highest mountain in Australia, Oceania, located on the island of Guinea - Puncak Jaya. On its spurs are the largest mines in the world (gold and copper). The ice cover of this peak, like Kilimanjaro, is melting very quickly. Scientists estimate that the last remaining glaciers in these places (the Puncak Jaya Mountains) will melt in the next 10 years. Its height is 5030 meters.
Everest - the highest mountain in the world
Everest is the recognized leader in height. It is known to be the largest mountain in the world. The Tibetans call it Chomolungma, and the Nepalese call it Sanarmatha.
The name of this peak was given in honor of the English scientist George Everest (1790-1866) in 1865. From 1830 to 1843, he held the post of chief surveyor in India and made the greatest contribution to the study of the majestic Everest at the very initial stage.
In 1852, it was announced that the mountain has the highest height among all the peaks closest to it, which also have a height of more than 8000 m. Until then, it was numbered “Peak XV”. A more accurate height was determined by Andrew Waugh, a student and successor of the famous George Everest. The height of the largest mountain is 8850 meters.
The formation of the highest point in the world began about 20 million years ago (uplift of the seabed). The layering of rocks took place over many years, and this process continues to this day. Every year, on average, the thickness of the Himalayas rises by 5 cm.
Climbing the Himalayas
Numerous ascents (about 500 people) make it to Everest Peak every year. This activity involves a lot of risk. However, despite the high cost of one climb (the average cost per person is $50,000), the number of people wishing to conquer the famous peak is growing every year. It should be noted that the very first woman to climb the mountain was a brave climber - Japanese Junko Tabei. This happened in 1976.
The climbing practice of numerous climbers shows that the most difficult section on the way to the top is the last segment (300 meters). In this regard, the section is called the longest mile on Earth. On this section, climbers have practically no opportunity to insure each other, since it is a very steep snowy slope. The largest mountain in the world is inaccessible, but conquered by many.
In addition to everything, there are still difficulties and obstacles that prevent climbers from successfully finishing at the very top. At the very peak of the mountain, the wind speed reaches 200 km/h, and the air temperature is 60 degrees below zero. In total, approximately 200 climbers died here during the entire period of ascents. The main reasons for this are severe frosts, unexpected avalanches, lack of oxygen, health problems, etc.
Mountains on the planet Mars
Mount Olympus is located on the planet Mars. It is an extinct volcano. It is the second highest peak in the solar system. The first is Rheasilvia Peak on the planet Vesta. It received its name from Mount Olympus, located in Greece. According to ancient myths, the Olympian gods once lived on it.
Mount Olympus reaches 26,200 meters in height and 540,000 meters in width. It is so huge that its profile can only be seen at a great distance from Earth or from planetary orbit.
Perhaps the large size of the mountain is due to the fact that there are no tectonic plates on Mars, like on Earth, and therefore there is no movement. The last volcanic eruption on the planet was about 2 million years ago. The mystery of Olympus is its steep slopes. It is not yet entirely clear where they came from. Many scientists believe that there once was an ocean on Mars and its waters washed away Olympus.
Atmospheric pressure on Olympus at the very top is 2%, while on Earth's Everest this figure reaches 25%.
It is impossible to imagine the earth without its beautiful, majestic elevated areas - mountains. They tower over the whole world like giants, demonstrating their fantastic beauty, and allow the bravest and most courageous people to admire the fabulousness and infinity of the surrounding world.
What is the largest mountain in the world, you ask? If by world we mean our planet, then two mountains claim this place: Mount Everest in the Himalayas and Mount Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands. Let's look at each of them, and you decide for yourself which is the largest mountain in the world.
Is Mount Everest the largest mountain in the world or the highest?
(Photo of Mount Everest No. 1)
Mount Everest is named after Sir George Everest, surveyor of British India from 1830 to 1843. and is located in the Himalaya mountain system on the Mahalangur Himal ridge.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in Asia and the highest point on the earth's surface. Its main northern peak is located in China and is 8848 m above sea level. Its southern highest point is located on the border of the Republic of Nepal and Tibet and is 8760 m above sea level.
(Photo of Mount Everest No. 2)
Mount Everest is also called "Qomolungma" in the local Tibetan language, which means "Goddess Mother of the World", or there is another name "Sagarmatha" in the ancient Indian language - "Ocean of the Mother."
Who decided that Everest is the largest mountain in the world? This important discovery was made by the Indian scientist - mathematician and topographer Radhanat Sikdar, who calculated the height of Chomolungma using trigonometry in 1852.
The largest mountain in the world resembles a triangular pyramid in shape, with a very steep bare slope on the south side. From its top, giant glaciers begin, which descend down the mountain and end at an altitude of 5000 m. The Arun River flows through a special through valley for more than 6 km in a southerly direction near Mount Everest.
Many climbers dream of conquering this top of the world, but for some, this risky climb turns out to be deadly. Until now, about 260 people have died on the slopes of Mount Chomolungma. What is the climate like on the largest mountain in the world? For the human body there is very rarefied air, containing little oxygen, add hurricane winds of 55 m/sec, and very low air temperature - 50-60 degrees (but it feels like 100-120 degrees), intense solar radiation also plays a role, as well as The usual dangers for mountains are avalanches, falling into gorges or from slopes. It is impossible to climb Everest without guides and special expensive equipment. But there were brave souls who were the first to conquer this largest mountain in the world - Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary, they climbed to the top through the South Col in 1953. This is a brief introduction to the beautiful majestic mountain that has broken all records for the highest altitude on land. Who is her rival on our planet? Is there really another largest mountain in the world?
Mauna Kea volcano is the largest mountain in the world
(Mauna Kea Photo #1)
The largest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea is an extinct shield volcano, which with its mega base is immersed in the depths of the Pacific Ocean for as much as 6 thousand meters. The visible part of the mountain to the top is 4200 m above sea level (the total height of the mountain is about 10203 m from the base to the top) and is located on the Hawaiian Islands, which have a number of active and extinct volcanoes. Opinions about its formation differed. Some believe that this extinct volcano is millions of years old, while others believe that this mountain, like other mountains, is quite young and was formed thanks to a global earthly catastrophe - the water Flood.
Everyone knows that the highest mountain is Everest. Can you name the second tallest? Or at least three more from the TOP 10 list? How many eight-thousanders are there in the world? By the way, the highest mountain is not even Everest...
No. 10. Annapurna I (Himalayas) - 8091 meters
Annapurna I is the highest peak of the Annapurna mountain range. The height of the mountain is 8091 meters. It ranks tenth among all the peaks of the world. This peak is also considered the most dangerous - the mortality rate of climbers for all years of climbing is 32%, but in the period from 1990 to the present, the mortality rate has decreased to 17%.
The name Annapurna is translated from Sanskrit as “Goddess of Fertility.” The peak was first conquered in 1950 by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Initially they wanted to conquer Dhaulagiri, but found it impregnable and went to Annapurna.
No. 4. Lhotse (Himalayas) - 8516 meters
Lhotse is the fourth highest peak in the world, at 8516 meters. Located on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The first successful ascent was made on May 18, 1956 by a Swiss expedition consisting of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.
Of all attempts to climb Lhotse, only 25% were successful.
No. 3. Kanchenjunga (Himalayas) - 8586 meters.
Kanchenjunga ranks third in the ranking of the highest peaks in the world. The height of the peak is 8586 meters. Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, but after calculations based on data from the 1849 expedition, it was proven that the highest mountain is Everest. Mount Kanchenjunga was first conquered on May 25, 1955 by George Band and Joe Brown.
All peaks in the world tend to have a decreasing mortality rate over time, but Kangchenjunga is an exception. In recent years, the mortality rate while climbing to the top has reached 23% and is only growing. In Nepal, there is a legend that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain that kills all women who try to climb to its peak.
No. 2. K2 or Chogori (Karakorum) - 8614 meters
K2 is the second highest peak in the world. Chogori was first discovered by a European expedition in 1856 and was designated Mount K2, that is, the second peak of the Karakoram. The first attempt to climb was made in 1902 by Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley, but ended in failure.
The summit was conquered in 1954 by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio. To date, 10 different routes have been laid to the top of K2.
Climbing K2 is technically much more difficult than climbing Everest. In terms of danger, the mountain ranks second among eight-thousanders after Annapurna, the mortality rate is 24%. None of the attempts to climb Chogori in winter were successful.
No. 1. Chomolungma (Himalayas) - 8848 meters
Chomolungma (Everest) is the highest peak on Earth. Translated from Tibetan, “Chomolungma” means “Divine (jomo) Mother (ma) of vital energy (lung).” The mountain is named after the Bon goddess Sherab Jamma.
The English name "Everest" was given in honor of Sir George Everest, the chief surveyor of British India in 1830–1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor Andrew Waugh after the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanath Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it was the highest in the region and, probably, in the whole world.
Before the first successful ascent to the summit, which took place in 1953, about 50 expeditions were carried out to the Himalayas and Karakoram (to Chomolungma, Chogori, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and other peaks). On May 29, 1953, Everest was conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
In subsequent years, the highest peak of the world was conquered by climbers from different countries - the USSR, China, USA, India, Japan, and other countries. Over the entire period of time, more than 260 people died while attempting to climb Everest. Nevertheless, more than 400 people try to conquer Chomolungma every year.
When asked what the highest point in the world is, almost every high school student will confidently answer that it is. Other common names for the peak are Chomolungma and Sagarmatha. The peak lies at an altitude of 8848 meters above sea level. This indicator is recorded in numerous scientific papers and textbooks.
Location
The highest point in the world on the map is located on the border of countries such as Nepal and China. The peak belongs to the Greater Himalayas mountain range. At the same time, it should be noted that based on the data that is constantly provided by instruments at the peak, as well as with the help of satellites, researchers have proven that Everest, in the literal sense of the word, does not stand still. The fact is that the mountain changes its shape all the time, moving to the northeast from India towards China. According to scientists, the reason for this lies in the fact that they are constantly moving and crawling onto one another.
Opening
The highest point in the world was discovered in 1832. Then an expedition consisting of employees of the British Geodetic Service was engaged in the study of some peaks that were located on Indian territory in the Himalayas. While carrying out the work, English scientists noted that one of the peaks (which had previously been marked everywhere as “Peak 15”) was higher than the other mountains that make up the ridge. This observation was documented, after which the peak began to be called Everest - in honor of the head of the geodetic service.
Importance to local residents
The fact that the world is Everest was assumed by local residents several centuries before its official discovery by European explorers. They respected the peak very much and named it Chomolungma, which literally translated from the local language means “goddess - mother of the Earth.” As for Nepal, here it is known as Sagarmatha (heavenly peak). Residents of areas located nearby the mountain say that on this peak, death and life are separated by half a step, and people from all directions of the world are equal before God, regardless of their religion. During the Middle Ages, a monastery called Ronkbuk was built at the foot of Everest. The structure has survived to this day and is still inhabited.
Other opinions about height
In 1954, a number of studies and measurements of the peak were carried out using various instruments and aerial photography. Based on their results, it was officially established that the highest point in the world has a height of 8848 meters. It should be noted that, compared to our time, the technology used then was not so accurate. This gave some scientists reason to claim that the real height of Chomolungma differs from the official value.
In particular, at the end of 1999 in Washington, as part of a meeting of the National Geographic Society, a proposal was put forward to consider that Everest lies above sea level at an altitude of 8850 meters, in other words, two meters higher. Members of the organization supported this idea. This event was preceded by the research of several expeditions led by a famous American scientist named Branford Washburn. First, he and his people delivered high-precision electronic equipment to the summit. Subsequently, this allowed the researcher, using a satellite, to record the slightest deviations in the height of the mountain (compared to previous data). Thus, the scientist was able to clearly show the growth dynamics of Chomolungma. Moreover, Washbourne identified the periods when the height of the peak increased most significantly.
Everest's growth process
The Himalayas are considered one of the most recent geological belts that formed on our planet. In this regard, the process of their development is quite active (compared to others). It's no surprise that the world's highest point continues to rise. As studies show, growth becomes most intense during times of high seismic activity not only on the Eurasian continent itself, but throughout the entire planet. For example, during the first half of 1999 alone, the height of the mountain increased by three centimeters. Several years ago, a geologist from Italy A. Desio, using modern radio equipment, established that the peak of Chomolungma is now at 8872.5 meters above sea level, which is 25 meters higher than the officially recorded value.
The largest mountain on Earth
There is no doubt that the highest point in the world is Everest. At the same time, calling it the largest mountain on the planet would not be entirely correct. The fact is that, judging by such an indicator as the total height, then the largest mountain should be called Mauna Kea, located not far from Hawaii. The peak rises above sea level only 4206 meters. At the same time, its base lies at a depth of more than ten thousand meters under water. Thus, the total size of Mauna Kea is almost twice that of Everest.
Other highest points on the planet
Be that as it may, each of the continents has the most prominent peak. The names of the highest mountains in the world by continent are as follows. The highest peak in South America and the second highest on the planet after Everest is Aconcagua Peak (6959 meters), which is part of the Andes and is located in Argentina. Mount McKinley (6194 meters) is located in the American state of Alaska and closes the top three world leaders in this indicator. In Europe, Elbrus (5642 meters) is considered the highest, and in Africa - Kilimanjaro (5895 meters). Antarctica also has its own record holder. The highest mountain here is Vinson (4892 meters).
The process of formation of mountains on Earth lasts millions of years. They arise from collisions of huge tectonic plates that make up the earth's crust.
Today we will get acquainted with the highest mountains on 6 continents and see how they look against the backdrop of the highest mountain peaks in the world - the “eight thousand meters”, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters.
How many continents are there on Earth? It is sometimes believed that Europe and Asia are 2 different continents, although they are one continent:
Before we start talking about the tallest mountains on the 6 continents, let's take a look at the overall chart of the tallest peaks on Earth.
"Eight-thousanders" is the common name for the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters. They are all in Asia. Conquering all 14 "eight-thousanders" of the planet - conquering the "Crown of the Earth" - is a great achievement in high-altitude mountaineering. As of July 2012, only 30 climbers managed to do this. (Clickable, 2010×810 px):
North America - Mount McKinley, 6,194 m
This is the highest double-peaked mountain in North America, named after the 25th President of the United States. Located in Alaska.
Indigenous peoples called this peak “Denali,” which means “great,” and during the period of Russian colonization of Alaska it was simply called Big Mountain.
Mount McKinley as seen from Denali National Park:
The first ascent of the main summit of McKinley took place on June 7, 1913. There are 5 large glaciers on the slopes of the mountain.
South America - Mount Aconcagua, 6,962 m
This is the highest point of the American continent, South America, as well as the western and southern hemispheres. They belong to the longest mountain range in the world - the Andes.
The mountain is located in Argentina and means "Stone Guardian" in the Quechua language. Aconcagua is the largest extinct volcano on our planet.
In mountaineering, Aconcagua is considered a technically easy mountain if you climb along the northern slope.
The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1897.
Europe – Mount Elbrus, 5,642 m
This stratovolcano in the Caucasus is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, Elbrus is often also called the highest European mountain peak. (Clickable, 2500×663 px):
Elbrus is a two-headed volcano with a saddle. The Western peak has a height of 5,642 m, the Eastern - 5,621 m. The last eruption dates back to 50 AD...
In those days, the eruptions of Elbrus were probably reminiscent of the eruptions of modern Vesuvius, but were more powerful. From the craters of the volcano at the beginning of the eruption, powerful clouds of vapors and gases, saturated with black ash, rose many kilometers upward, covering the entire sky, turning day into night. The earth shook from powerful tremors.
Nowadays, both peaks of Elbrus are covered with eternal snow and ice. On the slopes of Elbrus, 23 glaciers diverge in different directions. The average speed of glacier movement is about 0.5 meters per day.
The first successful ascent to one of the peaks of Elbrus was made in 1829. The average annual death toll during climbing on Elbrus is 15-30 people. (Clickable, 1650×630 px):
Everest (Chomolungma) is the top of our world! The first highest eight-thousander and the highest mountain on Earth.
The mountain is located in the Himalayas in the Mahalangur Himal range, with the Southern peak (8760 m) lying on the border of Nepal, and the Northern (main) peak (8848 m) located in China.
Everest has the shape of a triangular pyramid. At the top of Chomolungma there are strong winds blowing at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and the air temperature at night drops to -60 Celsius.
The first ascent to the top of Everest took place in 1953. From the first ascent to the summit until 2011, more than 200 people died on the slopes of Everest. Now the climb to the top takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and setting up camps.
View from space:
Climbing Everest is not only extremely dangerous, but also expensive: the cost of climbing in specialized groups is up to 65 thousand US dollars, and the climbing permit alone, issued by the Nepalese government, costs 10 thousand dollars
Australia and Oceania - Mount Puncak Jaya, 4884 m
The highest peak of Australia and Oceania, which is located on the island of New Guinea. It is located on the Australian Plate and is the highest mountain in the world located on an island.
The mountain was discovered in 1623 by Dutch explorer Jan Carstens, who saw a glacier on the top from afar. Therefore, the mountain is sometimes called the Carstens Pyramid.
The first ascent of Puncak Jaya took place only in 1962. The name of the mountain roughly translates from Indonesian as “Victory Peak.”
These are the highest mountains in Antarctica. The existence of the mountain range became known only in 1957. Since the mountains were discovered by American aircraft, they were subsequently named Vinson Massif, in honor of the famous American politician Carl Vinson.
View of Vinson Massif from space:
It is the highest point in Africa, a huge dormant volcano with two well-defined peaks in northeastern Tanzania. The mountain has no documented eruptions, but local legends speak of volcanic activity 150-200 years ago.
The higher one is the peak of Kibo, an almost regular cone with powerful glaciation.
The name comes from the Swahili language and supposedly means "mountain that sparkles."
The snow cap that has covered the mountaintop for 11,000 years since the last Ice Age is rapidly melting. Over the past 100 years, the volume of snow and ice has decreased by more than 80%. It is believed that this is not caused by a change in temperature, but by a reduction in snowfall.
The highest peak in Africa was first conquered by German explorer Hans Meyer in 1889.
