Which is the Tallest Mountain in the World?

Do you ever wonder how we measure the height of the tallest peak on Earth? Standing at an awe-inspiring 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, Mount Everest is recognized as the world's highest mountain. 

This measurement is based on the global mean sea level reference point that represents the average ocean surface level. But is this the complete picture? While Everest's summit is considered to be at its highest if the measurement is taken from sea level, many different factors apply if the reference points are measured in other ways. 

The Highest Point Above Earth's Center

While Everest claims the title for the highest point above sea level, it is not the farthest from the Earth's center. This title is reserved for Chimborazo in Ecuador. Chimborazo's summit sits at an altitude of just 6,268 meters 20,564 feet due to Earth's equatorial bulge, this mountain boasts an advantage only one degree south of the Equator. This bulge is due to the planet being slightly thicker near the equator because of Earth's rotation, and thus it is about 2,072 meters (around 6,800 feet) nearer to outer space than Everest, which is closer to the exact center of our planet.

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The Tallest Mountain Measured from Base to Peak

Looking to height from the base to peak rather than measurement above sea level, Mauna Kea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii is the highest mountain in the world. Measuring from its ocean floor base up to its peak, Mauna Kea comes in at just over 10,210 meters or about 33,500 feet. However, when measured from sea level, Mauna Kea's height is about 4,200 meters (around 13,800 feet), which is significantly lower than both Everest and Chimborazo.

Summary of Measurements

To clarify these distinctions:

As Mount Everest is considered the highest mountain over sea level, Mount Chimborazo and Mauna Kea each mount interesting cases. Each feature, in its way, contributes to the contrasting measurements. Knowing these distinctions will add to the richness of appreciation for the earth's varied topography and how people's perspectives change their perception of natural wonders.

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