There are 14 mountain peaks in the world with a height of more than 8,000 meters. Climbing mountains like this is not for cowards. Currently, only 30 experienced climbers have managed to climb all 14 peaks. Why do people dream of conquering these mountains, if such an ascent can turn into a fatal outcome? Probably, in order to prove something to oneself ... No one will argue with the fact that these giants cannot but bewitch. And today we have prepared for you a selection of the most incredible mountains in the world.
Located in Nepal
Height: 8848 meters
It has 2 peaks: southern (8760 meters) and northern (8848 meters).
The mountain is very beautiful, has the shape of a trihedral pyramid.
Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world, part of the Mahalangur-Himal mountain range.
More than 250 people have died during attempts to climb Mount Everest. Most of the deaths were related to falls from heights, avalanches, ice falls, and various health problems due to being in a high altitude environment. Today, climbing the main route is no longer such a problem as it was in the last century. However, at high altitude climbers expect a lack of oxygen, heavy wind and low temperatures (below 60 degrees). In order to conquer Everest, you need to be not only brave, hardy, but also a wealthy person. You need to spend at least $ 8,000 on this business.
Located in the Himalayas, on the border of China and Pakistan
Height: 8614 meters
The second highest mountain in the world. Chogori is considered one of the most difficult mountain peaks to climb; it was first conquered in 1954. The mortality rate is 25%.
Located in the Himalayas, on the border between China and Nepal, 3 km from Everest
Height: 8516 meters
This mountain was conquered in 1956.
Lhotse has 3 peaks, each of them reaches a height of over 8 kilometers.
Located in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and China, 12 kilometers from Everest
Height: 8485 meters
The second name is the Black Giant.
This mountain is very difficult to climb, its slopes are too steep. Only a third of the expeditions were usually successful. Several dozen people died.
Located on the border of Nepal and China
Height: 8201 meters
It is considered not the most difficult to climb, but, nevertheless, 39 climbers died.
Located in the Nepalese Himalayas
Height: 8167 meters
From the local language "dhaulagiri" is translated as "white mountain".
Almost its entire area is covered with glaciers and snow. It is considered one of the most difficult mountain peaks to climb.
They were able to conquer it for the first time in 1960. More than 60 climbers died on it.
Located in Nepal, part of the Mansiri-Himal mountain range
Height: 8156 meters
It was first conquered by a Japanese expedition in 1956.
Located in Pakistan
Height: 8125 meters
Second name: Nanga Parbata - Diamir (in translation - "Mountain of the Gods").
It was first conquered in 1953.
In terms of mortality among climbers, it ranks third after Everest and K-2. This mountain is also called the "killer".
Located in Nepal
Height: 8091 meters
The first Himalayan eight-thousander, which was conquered in 1950.
The mountain has 9 peaks, one of which is Machapuchare. No one has been able to climb it yet.
Locals consider this peak to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Therefore, climbing it is prohibited.
The highest of the 9 peaks is called "Annapurna". About 40% of climbers who tried to climb it remain lying on its slopes.
Height: 8080 meters
First ascent: 1958
The highest peak of the Gasherbrum massif, the second highest in the Karakorum and the eleventh highest among the world's eight-thousanders.
On July 5, 1958, members of the American expedition Peter Schoening and Andrew Kaufman made the first ascent to the summit along the southeast ridge.
Located in Kashmir, in the Pakistani-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China, Baltoro Muztag, Karakorum, 8 km from Mount Chogori
Height: 8051 meters
The peak belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range and the multi-peak Gasherbrum mountain range. It includes 2 peaks, the height of which exceeds 8 km.
In 1957 an Austrian expedition made its first ascent.
Located in the Pakistani-controlled Northern Territories on the border with China, Baltoro Muztag, Karakorum
Height: 8035 meters
The gracefully outlined peak, with sheer cliffs and eternal snow, belongs to the Baltoro Muztag mountain range. Included in the mountainous multi-peaked massif Gasherbrum. The first ascent was made by Australians in 1956.
Located in China, Langtang, Himalayas
Height: 8027 meters
Included in the Langtang mountain range. It consists of three peaks, two of which are more than 8 km. The first ascent took place in 1964. For 50 years, 21 people have died while trying to climb, although among the eight-thousanders it is considered the easiest.
People have studied almost every corner of our planet, measured the highest mountains and the deepest depressions. However, nature creates amazing, unique creations, and it is impossible to measure everything with one value.
Over millions of years, the relief of the Earth has changed many times before becoming the way we see it now. Of course, many more millennia will pass, and some records will be replaced by others. But for now, we can observe the unique landscape of our planet.
This collection contains the most interesting geological records of our planet!
1 highest point
Everest, Shengmufeng, Chomolungma, Sagarmatha - all these are the names of the highest peak on the planet. Above sea level, the mountain rises to 8848 meters. Despite its impressive size, it attracts many tourists. Everest is more than 60 million years old, but the first attempts to conquer the summit began only in the 1920s. The history of its discovery is full of failures and victims - about 280 people died only according to official statistics.
2 Tallest mountain from base to peak
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Of course, Everest is recognized as the highest point on Earth - taking into account sea level. However, if we take into account what is hidden under water, Chomolungma is displaced from the pedestal by the Mauna Kea volcano. Most of it is located under water, and only 4205 meters protrude above sea level. If we consider the entire height of an extinct volcano, then it will be about 10 kilometers. Mauna Kea formed in Hawaii about a million years ago during an active eruption period.
3 The highest settlement in the world
The highest points on the planet are simply unsuitable for human life. But still there is a place on Earth remote from sea level where people live. On the border with Bolivia, in the middle of the Andes, is the town of La Rinconada. About 30 thousand people live in it, although the climate at an altitude of 5100 meters is quite severe. The population is attracted by a huge supply of gold ore, for which this city was founded.
4 Farthest point from the center of the earth
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But there is another peak that claims to be the highest. The Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador has been considered the highest point on Earth for several centuries, and this is partly true. From the center of the planet, its peak is the most distant. According to the latest data, this extinct volcano rises to 6384 meters. In the course of research, it was possible to find out that, if compared from the center of the planet, then Chimborazo is a couple of kilometers higher than Everest.
5 The deepest depression in the world
The sea holds many secrets, and one of them is the deepest depression in the world, created by nature. The deepest point on the planet, the Challenger Deep, is located in the Mariana Trench. The name was given to this place because of the vessel Challenger II, which first registered the point in 1951. Later it was possible to establish that the depth reaches 11,023 meters. By the way, a curious fact - director James Cameron was able to visit the Abyss alone in 2012.
6 The deepest well in the world, created by human hands
Not only nature is working on the appearance of our planet. Man also actively intervenes in the relief of the Earth, especially for the extraction of minerals. The super-deep Kola well has entered the Guinness Book of Records, the depth of which has not yet been exceeded by anyone. At the moment, this place is mothballed, but the depth is still 12,262 meters. There are wells in the world that are longer, but not deeper.
7 lowest point on land
Our planet is really amazing, because there are places on it where you stand in the middle of the sand, and the sea level shows that you are already in the sea. This place is the shore of the Dead Sea, located at a level of 417.5 meters. In fact, this point is at a depth of almost half a kilometer, but still on land. However, the Dead Sea is unique in many ways. Its water has healing properties, and a person can safely lie on its surface, reading a newspaper.
8 The deepest cave in the world
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Among the caves, too, there are champions. For more than 15 years, until 2017, it was believed that the deepest cave in the world is the Krubera Cave. It is located in Abkhazia and is 2199 meters deep. However, in 2017 it was possible to establish that the cave named after Verevkin, which is also located in Abkhazia, moved 2204 meters deep.
9 The highest waterfall in the world
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Separately, waterfalls can be noted in the list of the highest points in the world. These incredibly beautiful creations of nature with a flowing stream of water are even more beautiful. And the highest of them is Angel, which is located in Venezuela. Its height is 979 meters, but the free fall height is lower, 807 meters.
10 The deepest lake in the world
There are many lakes on the whole planet, but the deepest of them is Baikal. According to reports, its maximum depth is 1642 meters. However, the underwater secrets of Baikal have not yet been discovered, and the lake is constantly being studied. Its volumes are amazing - about 19% of the supply of all fresh water on the planet.
Our planet is unique and beautiful. Its relief has been formed for millions of years, and the result is impressive!
Wherever this question is asked, the answer will always be "Mount Everest". However, few people think about the meaning of this question. Most people on the planet won't try to think twice and will immediately answer it the same way. Everest. Therefore, it is not in vain that when we compare the highest mountains on other planets in our solar system (for example, Mount Olympus on Mars), we definitely put Everest in comparison. The truth is that Everest is not the highest point on planet Earth.
The peculiarity of our planet is that instead of an ideal sphere, the Earth is an oblate spheroid. Therefore, those places that are near the equator, as a rule, are much further from the center of the planet than those that are located at its poles. Given this fact, Everest, like all the Himalayas, can hardly be called the highest point on the planet.
The understanding that the Earth is a spherical body came to people as early as the 6th century BC. The ancient Greeks were the first to know about it. And although this theory is attributed to Pythagoras, it is equally likely that it could have appeared spontaneously as a result of travel between Greek settlements. The fact is that sailors began to notice changes in the position and visibility of the stars, depending on the chosen geographical latitude.
Planet Earth. View from space of the western hemisphere
By the 3rd century BC, the theory of a spherical earth began to acquire quite scientific significance. By measuring the angle of falling shadows at various geographic locations, Eratosthenes (276 BC - 194 BC) - a Greek astronomer from Cyrene (modern Libya) - was able to calculate the circumference of the Earth with an error of 5-15 percent . With the rise of the Roman Empire and the adoption of Hellenistic astronomy, the theory of a spherical earth spread throughout the Mediterranean and Europe.
Knowledge of this was preserved thanks to the transfer from generation to generation by monks, as well as thanks to the scholasticism of the Middle Ages. By the era of the Renaissance and the revolution in science (mid-16th - late 18th centuries), geological and heliocentric views were well established in science. With the advent of modern astronomy, more accurate measurement methods, and the ability to look at the Earth from space, humanity was still able to see the true shape and size of our planet.
Modern earth models
Let's clarify the situation a bit: the Earth is not a perfect sphere, but it's not flat either. In the first case, I would like to ask for forgiveness from Galileo, in the second - from the flat Earth society. As mentioned above, the Earth has the shape of an oblate spheroid, which, in turn, is a consequence of the peculiarity of rotation. At the poles, it is, as it were, flattened, and in the equatorial part it is elongated. Many space objects in the solar system have the same shape (take at least Jupiter or Saturn). Even rapidly rotating stars, such as one of the brightest, Altair, have the same shape.
Data from the 2014 Global Earth Model, where brighter colors indicate points farthest from the Earth's center
Based on some recent measurements, it was found that the polar radius of the Earth (that is, the distance from the center of the planet to one or another pole) is 6356.8 kilometers, while the equatorial radius (from the center to the equator) is 6378.1 kilometers. In other words, objects located along the equator are 22 kilometers farther from the center of the Earth (geocenter) than objects located at the poles.
Naturally, it is worth considering some topographical changes in certain areas, where some objects located near the equator are closer to the center, while others are further from the center of the Earth, compared to other objects of a particular region. The most notable exceptions are the Mariana Trench (the deepest place on Earth, at 10,911 meters) and Mount Everest, at 8,848 meters above sea level. However, these two geological features represent a very small difference, if we take into account the general shape of the Earth. The difference in this case is only 0.17 percent and 0.14 percent, respectively.
The highest point on earth
In fairness, we note that Everest is indeed one of the highest points on our planet. The height at its peak is 8488 meters above sea level. However, due to its location in the Himalayan range (27 degrees 59 minutes north of the equator), it is actually lower than the mountains located in Ecuador.
Mount Chimborazo
It is here, where the Andes mountain range is located, that the highest point on planet Earth is located. The height of Mount Chimborazo is 6263.47 meters above sea level. However, due to its location (1 degree 28 minutes south of the equator) in the highest protruding part of the planet, its total height from the center is about 21 kilometers.
View of Mount Everest from Kala Pathar
If we consider the issue in terms of distance to the geocenter, Everest is located at a distance of 6382 kilometers from the center of the Earth, while Chimborazo is located at 6384 kilometers. The difference is only about 3.2 kilometers, which at first glance may seem quite insignificant. However, when it comes to the titles of the “most-most”, you need to be precise.
Of course, even after such explanations, there will be people who will confidently say that Mount Everest is still the highest point on the planet, if we consider its height from the foot (base) to the peak. Unfortunately, they are wrong here too. Because in this case, the title of the highest mountain goes to Mauna Kea, a shield volcano located on the island of Hawaii. The height of the mountain from the base to the very top at Mauna Kea is 10,206 meters. This is the highest mountain on our planet. However, most of the mountain goes several thousand meters deep into the ocean, and therefore we can only see its peak with a height of 4207 meters.
However, those who consider Everest to be the highest mountain according to its height above sea level will be right. If we consider its height as the height above sea level, then Everest is indeed the highest mountain in the world.
The power of nature frightens and delights at the same time. Evidence of her strength is deep crevices and the highest peaks of the planet. Everest is called the top of the world, and it really is. However, not everyone knows which is the highest mountain in the world. Yes, there are giants that exceed the size of the famous Chomolungma. But what are they and where are they - read on.
The largest and highest mountain on the planet is the shield volcano Mauna Kea. It is located on an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its size is shocking. If you put this natural colossus next to Everest, then the latter will seem like a small hill.
For comparison: the height of Mauna Kea from the foot to the top is 10,203 m, and Everest - 3550 m. Feel the difference?! So why is the palm given to the Himalayan peak?
The thing is that Mauna Kea originates under water, where most of the volcano is hidden. The top of the mountain above sea level is at an altitude of 4205 m, while Chomolungma rises to 8848 m.
The age of the Hawaiian giant is about a million years. An active “youth” helped the volcano to grow to such dimensions. Since the birth of Mauna Kea, it erupted regularly for 500 thousand years, then the activity began to decline. Now the volcano is considered extinct. According to rough estimates, the last eruption occurred 4-6 thousand years ago.
Such an amount of volcanic rock, concentrated in one point, exerts tremendous pressure on the earth's crust. Its total volume is about 3200 km3. It is difficult to imagine how much it weighs, but this mass is enough to push through the Pacific plate for six kilometers.
"Mauna Kea" translates as "White Mountain". The indigenous people could not call it otherwise, because this is the only place in the Hawaiian Islands where snow falls in winter. Local tribes consider the mountain sacred, only leaders have the right to climb it. Unfortunately, and perhaps, and fortunately, this does not stop the Europeans.
On the one hand, on the lower part of the volcano, for the sake of the development of the sugar industry, wild forests were practically destroyed; on the other hand, the top of Mauna Kea is a great place to explore space. Since 1964, 13 observatories have been built here. The question - was it worth it, given the holiness of the mountain - is still a hot debate.
The highest mountains in the world: list
The dream of any climber is to conquer the main peaks of the world. In total, there are seven of them on the list, one for each continent and region of the Earth. Let's talk briefly about each of them:
- His Majesty is Everest.
Has several other names. In Tibet, the mountain is called Chomolungma (Divine Mother) or Jomo Gang Kar (Holy Mother, white as snow). Nepalese name the highest peak - Sagarmatha.
This is one of the most violent places on the planet. Not everyone will be able to get at least to the base camp, which is located at an altitude of about 5,000 m. What can we say about the top.
The air temperature on the mountain in the warm season does not rise above zero degrees, and in winter it varies from -36 during the day to -60 degrees at night. Add to this the violent winds, the speed of which sometimes reaches 200 km / h, and you will understand that the smallest problem here can turn into a disaster.
In the off season, few will challenge grief, because it is akin to suicide. Since the first ascent in 1953, Everest has taken the lives of more than 250 people, their bodies are still there. To pick them up, you need to equip an expedition, and this is very expensive. Up to 25,000 dollars in fees alone for the rise. No matter how cynical it may sound, but many corpses serve as landmarks for climbers.
- The second height of the world - Aconcagua.
Located in Argentina and is part of the Andes - the longest mountain system in the world, stretching for 11,000 km. In Quechua, "Aconcagua" means "Stone Guardian". Looking at the mountain, you understand that such a name was given to it not in vain.
Massive and majestic Aconcagua really resembles a stone giant. The height of the mountain above sea level reaches 6961 m. Technically, it is not considered too difficult to conquer. The ascent and descent record belongs to Karl Egloff: his time is 11 hours 52 minutes. Even children came up here. The youngest climber was only nine years old.
The weather is comparatively mild. The average temperature at the top is 20 degrees below zero, it is much colder at night. Here the humidity is low, but strong winds will not let a person forget where he is.
- Presidential Mount McKinley.
Located in Alaska, 210 km north of Anchorage. It occupies the third position in terms of height above sea level - 6190 m. In fact, this is a huge granite block that crawled out of the ground as a result of tectonic activity. It happened about 60 million years ago.
The mountain was often renamed. It was originally called Denali, which means ‘great’ in the Athabaskan language. When the Russians came to Alaska, the granite giant was simply called Big Mountain. In 1896, when Alaska was ceded to the United States, the mountain was named after President William McKinley. However, in 2015, the first name was returned to her.
Based on climbing statistics, this peak is not for everyone. Only 58% of attempts are successful. Since 1913, the mountain has taken the lives of more than 100 people. Weather conditions and lack of oxygen do not stop people, even if they have to go alone in winter. So did Loni Dupre, who successfully climbed Denali and descended unscathed on January 11, 2015.
- Kilimanjaro.
The highest point in Africa - 5892 m. Located in Tanzania and is a potentially active volcano. Presumably the last eruption took place 200 thousand years ago, but the lava has not gone anywhere. It is located under the crater at a depth of 400 m.
Kilimanjaro has three peaks that are separate volcanoes:
- Shira - 3962 m;
- Mawenzi - 5149 m;
- Kobo - 5892 m.
A distinctive feature of the mountain is the ice cap, which has not left the top for 11 thousand years, since the last ice age. However, over the past hundred years, due to deforestation and reduced rainfall, the glacier has shrunk by 80%.
One of the easiest peaks to climb. The first documented assault took place in 1889. It was made by a group of climbers led by Hans Meyer. Trained climbers can climb to the top and come back down in 10 hours. For beginners, due to the need for acclimatization, it takes 5 days.
- The highest mountain in Europe - Elbrus.
It belongs to the same type of mountains as Kilimanjaro - a stratovolcano. The last eruption occurred around 50 AD. e. It has a saddle shape with two peaks: the eastern one - 5621 m; western - 5642 m.
The mountain is shrouded in many glaciers with a total area of 134.5 km2. Melt water flowing down the slopes of Elbrus feeds several large rivers: Kuban, Baksan and Malka. The weather here changes from bad to good every 5-7 days. In summer it is hot - 25-35 degrees, in winter at an altitude of 3,000 m the temperature drops to -12-20 degrees.
From the point of view of mountaineering, Elbrus is not particularly difficult to climb, but there are several extreme routes. The peak was stormed even on a motorcycle in 1963 and a car in 1997.
- Vinson Peak is the highest point on the sixth continent.
The mountain is part of the massif of the same name, which is located 1200 km from the South Pole and extends 21 km in length and 13 km in width. The highest point is at around 4897 m above sea level.
American pilots discovered Vinson Peak in 1957, and 9 years later its summit was conquered by climber Nicholas Clinch. Despite the aggressive conditions of the Antarctic, it is relatively comfortable here in summer. In the tents of the assault camp, the temperature is kept in the range of 0-10 degrees Celsius. During the ascent, the thermometer often drops below thirty-five degrees.
- Pyramid of Carstens, or Puncak Jaya.
Located on the island of New Guinea. Its peak is considered the highest point of Oceania and Australia - 4884 m, and according to some sources - 5030 meters. Jaya Peak was discovered by European explorer Jan Carstens in 1623.
Arriving in Holland, he spoke about the glacier he saw, for which he was ridiculed. Like, where is the glacier in the tropics from ?! However, they laughed at him in vain. What he saw was one of the highest mountains in the world.
Despite such an early discovery, the first ascent took place only after 339 years. A group of climbers led by Heinrich Harrer stormed the mountain in 1962.
The highest mountain in Kazakhstan
On the border with Kyrgyzstan and China, on the Tien Shan ridge, the majestic and cold Khan Tengri rises. This is the highest point in Kazakhstan - 7010 m above sea level. The name of the mountain is Turkic and translates as ‘Lord of Heaven’.
Externally, Khan-Tengri is a natural pyramid with regular edges. The top of the mountain is covered with a layer of ice 15 meters thick. In pagan times, people believed that the supreme God lives there, who rules the whole world from there.
The first mention of the mountain is found in the writings of ancient explorers and adventurers. As for modern research, it began in the middle of the 19th century, when the geographer P. Semenov made a detailed description of the mountain.
The first successful assault on Khan Tengri took place on September 11, 1931. The climbers from the Ukrainian expedition became heroes. It was headed by Mikhail Pogrebetsky, Boris Tyurin and Franz Sauber. Athletes long and scrupulously thought out and worked out the route of ascent. As a result, it was decided to go along the southern and southwestern side of the mountain.
Khan Tengri is famous not only for its beauty, but also for regular accidents. The mountain takes several people every season. 2004 was especially dark. Then, during the ascent, a Polish climber died, and a month later, due to an avalanche at an altitude of 5,000 m, a group of 50 people was trapped. While the rescue operation was underway, 11 climbers from Russia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic died.
The highest mountains in the world annually attract hundreds of daredevils who risk their lives for the indescribable feeling of unity with nature. They can be understood, because the one who once ascended to the top wants to repeat it again and again. Vysotsky also wrote: “The whole world is in the palm of your hand - you are happy and dumb and only a little jealous of those others whose peak is yet to come.”