Responding to a question about what the highest point in the world, almost every high school student confidently replied that it was Mount Everest.Other common names are the peak of Mount Everest and the Sagarmatha.The top lies at a height of 8848 meters above sea level.This figure was recorded in numerous scientific papers and textbooks.
Location
highest point on the world map located on the border states such as Nepal and China.The top of the mountain range belongs to the Great Himalayas.At the same time, it should be noted that based on the data that are available all the time at the peak of instruments, as well as with the help of satellites, researchers have proved that Mount Everest, in the literal sense of the word, is not standing still.The fact that the mountain all the time changes its geographic coordinates, moving to the north-east by India towards China.According to scientists, the reason for this lies in the fact that the tectonic plates are constantly moving and crawl on one another.
Opening
highest point in the world was opened in 1832.Then the expedition of employees of the British Geodetic Survey was engaged in research of some peaks that were in Indian territory in the Himalayas.During the execution of works of British scientists have noted that one of the vertices (which until then all marked as "Peak 15") is higher compared to other mountains that are part of the ridge.This observation has been documented, and then began to call the peak Everest - in honor of the Head of Geodetic Survey.
value for locals
What is the highest mountain in the world - Mount Everest, the local residents have assumed even for a few centuries until its official opening by European explorers.Tibetan monks highly respected top and named it Mount Everest, which literally translated from the local language means "goddess - mother earth."In Nepal, there it is known as Sagarmatha (heaven top).Residents of a nearby mountain areas say that this peak of life and death are separated by half-step, and people from all parts of the world are equal before God, regardless of their religion.During the Middle Ages at the foot of Mount Everest it was built the monastery that is called Ronkbuk.The structure has survived to our time and is still inhabited.
Other opinions about the height
in 1954 was made a number of studies and measurement peaks when using different devices and aerial photography.According to their results officially established that the highest point in the world has a height of 8848 meters.It should be noted that, compared with our time, then the technique used is not as accurate.This has led some scientists to assert that the real figure is different from the height of Chomolungma official value.
In particular, in late 1999, in Washington, in the framework of the meeting of the National Geographic Society, a proposal was made to believe that Mount Everest is above sea level at a height of 8850 meters, in other words, two meters higher.Members of the organization have supported this idea.This event was preceded by several research expeditions led by the famous American scientist named Branford Ueshborn.First he drove to the top with his men precision electronic equipment.In the future it will allow researchers via satellite to capture the slightest variations in the height of the mountain (in comparison with previous data).Thus, the scientist could quite clearly show the dynamics of growth of Chomolungma.Moreover, Ueshborn determine the period of the most significant increase in peak height.
growth process Everest
Himalayas are considered one of the most recent geological zones, which were formed on our planet.In this regard, the process of their development is quite active (as compared with the other).Not surprisingly, the highest point in the world continues to grow.Studies show that the most intensive growth becomes at high seismic activity not only on the Eurasian continent, but also the entire planet.For example, only during the first half of 1999 mountain height increased by three centimeters.Several years ago, a geologist from Italy A. Desio using modern radio set is now top of Chomolungma is at around 8872.5 meters above sea level, which is 25 meters higher than the officially fixed value.
biggest mountain on Earth
The fact that the highest point in the world - Mount Everest is, no doubt.At the same time he calls it the biggest mountain in the world is not quite right.The fact is that if judged by such indicators as the total height, the largest should be called Mount Mauna Kea, located not far from Hawaii.The peak rises above the sea level of only 4206 meters.At the same time its base lies at a depth of more than ten thousand meters under water.Thus, the total value of the Mauna Kea higher than Mount Everest is almost doubled.
other highest point of the planet
Whatever it was, every continent has the most prominent peak.The names of the highest mountains of the world by continent is as follows.The highest in South America and the second in the world after Mount Everest is the peak of Aconcagua (6959 meters), which is part of the Andes, and is located on the territory of Argentina.The top of Mount McKinley (6194 m) located in the US state of Alaska and closes the top three world leaders to this indicator.In Europe, the highest regarded Elbrus (5642 meters), and in Africa - Kilimanjaro (5895 meters).There is a record holder in the Antarctic.The highest mountain here - it's Vinson (4892 m).
