The very definition of “ highest mountain in the world » was established from sea level, but it is possible to conceive of Mount Everest differently. With its 8,849 meters of conventional altitude, it remains indeed the most giant mountain on our planet. However, if we consider the total height of a mountain, from the base to the summit, and not just the visible part, the classification can be completely different.
The relativity of measurements
The traditional method of measurement represents only one approach among others. Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano located on the island of Hawaii, is the very example of this relativity: if its aerial altitude still reaches 4,207 meters, its total height from its oceanic base rises to impressive figure of 10,211 meters, thus surpassing Everest by more than 1,300 meters.
Another challenger: Chimborazo, a majestic stratovolcano (conical volcano formed by the accumulation of successive layers of lava and volcanic materials) in the Ecuadorian Andes. Culminating at 6,263 meters above sea level, which places it only thirty-ninth among the Andean peaks, it becomes the farthest point from the center of the Earth when we adopt a geocentric perspective.
In this context, this means that we consider the Earth as the reference center for carrying out measurements and calculations. Its summit then exceeds that of Everest by 2,073 meterspropelling it to the rank of true “ roof of the world “.
A lesson in geophysics
The explanation for this apparent paradox lies in the very shape of our planet. The Earth, far from being a perfect sphere, has an equatorial bulge due to its rotation. This phenomenon results from the centrifugal force generated by the Earth’s rotation. Chimborazo, located just 1.5 degrees south of the equator, thus fully benefits from this planetary protuberance.
As Derek van Westrum explainsphysicist at the National Geodetic Survey of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an American agency, which monitors, among other things, hurricanes): “ If you imagine Earth as this blue dot in space, it’s the only place you can stand and be as far away from the center of that dot as possible “.
Centrifugal force, more intense at the equator than at the poles, literally deforms the earth’s crust. If the latter tends to compress the rock in regions far from the equator, it produces the opposite effect near the equatorial line.
This geophysical particularity thus transforms the Chimborazo as a true balcony on the universeoffering the closest terrestrial observation point to the stars. Ecuador, now aware of this scientific singularity, is gradually developing a tourist offer around this exceptional summit. Indeed, its ascent is easier; even if it remains very difficult; than climbing Everest: a major argument.
- If Everest is the highest peak from sea level (8,849 m), Mauna Kea is taller in total height (10,211 m), from its underwater base.
- Thanks to its position close to the equator, Chimborazo is the farthest point on Earth from the center of the Earth, surpassing Everest by 2,073 m.
- he Earth’s rotation and centrifugal force deform the Earth’s crust, making Chimborazo a unique peak and an important tourist asset for Ecuador.
