What is the tallest mountain in the world? A) K2 B) Kangchenjunga C) Mount Everest D) Makalu
VerifiedAnswer: C) Mount Everest
Explanation:
Mount Everest is indeed the tallest mountain in the world, standing at an impressive height of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. Located in the Himalayan mountain range on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China), this majestic peak has captured the imagination of adventurers and scientists alike for decades.
The mountain is known by different names in different cultures. In Nepal, it's called "Sagarmatha," which means "goddess of the sky," while in Tibet, it's known as "Chomolungma," meaning "goddess mother of the world." The English name "Mount Everest" was given in honor of Sir George Everest, a British surveyor-general of India in the 19th century.
Let's look at how Mount Everest compares to the other options mentioned in the question:
• K2: Standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet), K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world. Located on the border between Pakistan and China, it's often considered more challenging to climb than Everest due to its steep slopes and harsh weather conditions.
• Kangchenjunga: This mountain reaches 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) and holds the title of the third-highest peak in the world. It's located on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim.
• Makalu: Standing at 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world. It's located in the Himalayas, about 19 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest.
Mount Everest's height was most recently measured in 2020 through a joint survey conducted by Nepal and China, which resulted in the current official height measurement. The mountain continues to grow at a rate of about 4 millimeters per year due to tectonic plate movements.
The first successful summit of Mount Everest was achieved on May 29, 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa climber from Nepal. Since then, thousands of climbers have attempted to reach its summit, making it not only a geographical marvel but also a symbol of human determination and achievement.
