Mount Everest, often cited as the highest mountain on Earth, reaches an impressive 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level. This elevation indeed marks the highest point above the average ocean surface, the standard from which we measure altitude. However, the question of “tallest” mountain becomes more complex when considering different perspectives.
While Everest boasts the highest altitude, it’s not the furthest point from the Earth’s center. Our planet isn’t a perfect sphere; it bulges at the Equator due to centrifugal force from Earth’s rotation. Ecuador’s Mount Chimborazo, situated just one degree south of the Equator where this bulge is most pronounced, claims this distinction. Although Chimborazo’s summit stands at 6,268 meters (20,564 feet) above sea level, it extends over 2,072 meters (6,800 feet) farther from the Earth’s center than Everest’s peak. This unique positioning makes Chimborazo the closest point on Earth to the stars.
Furthermore, if we measure a mountain’s height from its base to its peak, Mount Everest is surpassed yet again. Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano located in Hawaii, emerges from the depths of the Pacific Ocean. From its underwater base to its summit, Mauna Kea stretches over 10,210 meters (33,500 feet), making it the tallest mountain on Earth when measured this way.
In conclusion, the “tallest mountain in the world” depends on how we define “tallest.” If we consider altitude above sea level, Mount Everest reigns supreme. If we measure from the Earth’s center, Mount Chimborazo takes the crown. And if base-to-peak height is the criterion, Mauna Kea stands unchallenged. Therefore, the answer is truly debatable and depends on the context of measurement.
