Tallest Mountain In The World Isn't Everest

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8 May 2024

Long revered as the world's highest mountain above sea level, Mount Everest has held a place of prominence in human imagination and exploration


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But you will be surprised to know that there is another mountain on our planet that dwarfs even the Everest


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According to US government's oceanic agency NOAA, that honour belongs to Mauna Kea, a volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii


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Mauna Kea originates deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, and rises more than 10,210 metres from base to peak


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The difference is because of the way it's measured. BBC said that Mauna Kea is underwater in the Pacific Ocean


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Around 6,000 metres of the mountain is under the sea, with 4,205 metres above sea level


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So, in total, Mauna Kea is around 1.4km taller than Everest


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Mauna Kea has been inactive for around 4,500 years, but the US Geological Survey claims that it "is likely to erupt again"


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Based on measuring from base to peak, Mauna Loa, an active volcano in Hawaii, is the second-tallest mountain on Earth, with a total height of 9.17km


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There is another one - Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador - which is tallker than Everest. This is because the Earth is not a perfect sphere


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Image: Reuters 

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