The Highest Point on Earth

Mount Everest vs. Mount Chimborazo vs. Mauna Kea: Earth’s Highest Points

When we think of the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest immediately comes to mind. Its summit, towering at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level, is widely recognized as the pinnacle of mountaineering achievement. However, the title of "highest point on Earth" isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador offers a compelling alternative, depending on how "height" is measured. Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet), holds the undisputed title of the highest point above sea level. Yet, Mount Chimborazo, with an elevation of 6,263 meters (20,548 feet), claims a unique distinction: its summit is the farthest point from the Earth’s center. This is due to its location on the planet’s equatorial bulge, where the Earth’s diameter is widest. Similarly, Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, is often considered the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from its base on the ocean floor.

Comparison of Earth's Highest Points: Mount Everest, Mount Chimborazo, and Mauna Kea, showcasing their unique heights from sea level and from Earth's center.

Measuring Height: Elevation Above Sea Level vs. Distance from Earth’s Center

To understand the debate between Everest, Chimborazo, and Mauna Kea, it is essential to consider the three primary ways of measuring a mountain’s height:

Elevation Above Sea Level

This is the most widely recognized method of measurement. It calculates how far a mountain’s summit rises above the average sea level. By this standard, Mount Everest is the undisputed champion, standing at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. It towers over all other peaks, earning its place as the "Roof of the World."

Distance from Earth’s Center

The Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator due to its rotation. As a result, points near the equator are farther from the Earth’s center than points closer to the poles.

Mount Chimborazo, located just 1° south of the equator, benefits from this equatorial bulge. Its summit is approximately 6,384.4 kilometers (3,967.1 miles) from the Earth’s center, making it the farthest point from the core. By comparison, Mount Everest’s summit is about 6,382.3 kilometers (3,965.8 miles) from the Earth’s center. This means Chimborazo’s summit is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) farther from the planet’s core than Everest’s, despite its lower elevation above sea level.

Mount Everest: Highest Point Above Mean Sea Level

Mount Everest is part of the Himalayan mountain range, situated on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It was formed around 50 million years ago through the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Everest’s extreme elevation and harsh climate make it a global symbol of adventure and ambition. The mountain’s towering height above sea level is used as a benchmark for cartography, mountaineering, and geographic measurements. For these reasons, Everest remains the world’s highest point in terms of elevation and continues to attract climbers from all corners of the globe.

Mount Chimborazo: The Closest Point to Space

Mount Chimborazo, an inactive stratovolcano in Ecuador’s Andes Mountains, offers a compelling counterpoint to Everest. With an elevation of 6,263 meters (20,549 feet) above sea level, Chimborazo is much shorter than Everest. However, its location near the equator gives it a unique distinction.

Due to the Earth’s equatorial bulge, Chimborazo’s summit is the farthest point from the planet’s center, making it technically the “highest point on Earth” when measured from the core. This means that if you were to stand on Chimborazo’s summit, you would be closer to outer space than if you were standing on Everest.

Mauna Kea: The Tallest Mountain on Earth

Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, provides yet another perspective on mountain heights. Although its elevation above sea level is only 4,207 meters (13,802 feet), Mauna Kea’s base begins on the ocean floor. When measured from its underwater base to its summit, Mauna Kea’s total height is an incredible 10,211 meters (33,500 feet). This makes it taller than both Everest and Chimborazo, though much of its height is hidden beneath the ocean.

Mauna Kea is also a renowned location for astronomical observation, thanks to its high elevation, dry climate, and minimal light pollution. Its unique status as the tallest mountain from base to summit adds another layer of intrigue to the discussion of Earth’s highest points.

The Verdict: Three Different Highest Points

The question of which mountain is the highest depends entirely on how “highest” is defined:

Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth above sea level, making it the tallest mountain in terms of elevation.
Mount Chimborazo is the highest point on Earth when measured from the planet’s center, thanks to its equatorial location.
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from base to summit, showcasing its immense total height.

Each mountain’s claim to fame highlights different aspects of Earth’s geography and shape. While Everest remains a symbol of human ambition and natural wonder, Chimborazo serves as a fascinating reminder of the planet’s complex geometry, and Mauna Kea emphasizes the hidden depths of Earth’s oceans.