What Is the Highest Land Feature on Earth?
There are few mountains on Earth that have the notoriety of Mt. Everest. It is a mountain that demands respect and one that is sought after by sportsmen, scientists and adventurers alike. But why has Mt. Everest captured the attention and admiration of so many individuals? It's not a particularly dangerous mountain to climb, though it does pose risks. What makes it so special is the fact that it is the highest point on earth, and when a person stands on its peak, they are considered to be literally on top of the world.
Size
Mt. Everest is a vast and impressive geological feature. It is one of the biggest mountains in the world, and on top of that its peak is known to be the highest point on the surface of the Earth. The tallest point of the mountain has a height of 8,848 meters, or 29,029 feet. This is actually thought to be a number that is increasing very slowly over time. Since mountains are generally formed by plates moving against each other, scientists believe that the plates that have formed Mt. Everest are still moving and causing it to grow taller. This, however, is a very slow process that people will not be able to notice in many lifetimes.
Geography
Mt. Everest is part of a very large mountain range that also happens to be one of the most famous because of its vastness. It is known as the Himalayan mountain range, which is located on the border of Tibet, China and the Sagarmatha Zone in Nepal. In particular, it is located towards the north of the mountain range, close to the eastern border. It directly borders China, and is located to the east of India and the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
Features
Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes that lead up to the highest point on earth. The easiest route to climb comes from the southeast of the mountain, on the Nepalese side. This was the first route up to the top that was officially recognized. The second main route leads in from Tibet on the northeast side of the mountain. This is a route better suited to more advanced climbers. There are many other secondary routes that can be taken as well. They all lead hikers across snow-capped ridges and glaciers that have formed on the mountain.
History
In order to find and map the world's highest mountain peaks, Great Britain started the Great Trigonometric Survey in 1808. This focused on mountain ranges in India, and involved survey teams moving north through India to measure the height of mountains. In 1830, they reached the Himalayas. It wasn't until 1852, though, that Mt. Everest (then known as Peak XV) was discovered and named having the highest peak. By 1996, the mountain was mapped and had 15 noted routes to the summit. Today, it is one of the most famous mountains, having close to 3,000 people climb their way to its highest point.
Warning
If you are planning to climb Mt. Everest it is important to know the risks that you are facing in doing so. For one, the high altitudes that will be faced cause breathing and pressure problems. There is significantly less oxygen at higher altitudes here, which mean climbers often bring portable oxygen containers along with them. Climbers must also acclimate themselves to varying altitudes in order to pressurize themselves. Climbing too fast can cause carbon dioxide bubbles to form in the blood. This is why each route is marked off with specific base camps at various heights.
Tags: highest point, mountain range, that have, Feature Earth, have formed, Highest Land, Highest Land Feature
