Believe It Or Not, This (U.S.) Mountain Is Taller than Everest (2024)

It was once believed that Mount Everest had no rival, but that theory was debunked when Mount Kailash came into the picture. Now it’s time to debate this giant’s height. For generations, conquering Mount Everest has been the ultimate mountaineering challenge; its peak crowned as the "roof of the world" at a staggering 29,035 feet. However, a surprising contender for the title of tallest mountain exists – Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano located in the heart of Hawaii.

While its peak stands at a seemingly modest 13,796 feet above sea level, its volcanic base rests on the ocean floor. Taking this submerged portion into account, Mauna Kea's total height reaches a staggering 33,500 feet, surpassing even Everest! This revelation sparks a debate: which mountain truly deserves the title of "tallest"?

What To Know About Mount Everest

Mount Everest is a huge part of popular culture

Everest North Face Towards Base Camp

Towering above the Earth at a staggering 29,035 feet, Mount Everest holds the undisputed title of the world's highest peak above sea level. This elevation, measured from the mean sea level, makes Everest the ultimate challenge for mountaineers, a symbol of human endurance and daring spirit. Since the 1920s, over 340 hikers and climbers have died on Mount Everest.

Its prominence in mountaineering

For mountaineers, conquering Everest represents the pinnacle of human achievement, a brutal test of endurance and willpower in the harshest environment on Earth. Over 6,500 people have reached the summit, braving bone-chilling summit temperatures as low as -76 degrees Fahrenheit, treacherous winds, and the dangers of altitude sickness.

Although scaling Everest is a life-threatening endeavor, the allure of conquering this legendary peak remains irresistible for many climbers. Since the mountain is one of the highest peaks in the world, reaching the summit is a badge of honor, a testament to superhuman willpower and physical prowess.

A cultural icon

Beyond the realm of mountaineering, Everest has permeated popular culture. Documentaries, movies, and books chronicle the struggles and triumphs of those who have dared to climb it. The mountain's iconic silhouette serves as a symbol of adventure, human ambition, and the raw power of nature.

Even for those who will never set foot on its slopes, Everest ignites a sense of awe and wonder, a testament to the majesty of the planet.

What To Know About Mauna Kea: The Underwater Giant

Mauna Kea is twice the size of its visible peak and is a premier site for astronomical observation

Mauna Kea from Mauna Loa Observatory, Hawaii

Across the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean lies Hawaii, a volcanic archipelago crowned by a unique giant – Mauna Kea. In fact, hiking Mount Kea is one of the best things to do in Hawaii! While many know Everest as the world's tallest peak, Mauna Kea presents a compelling counterclaim. The sister volcano of Kilauea, Mauna Kea boasts a staggering height, but unlike Everest, a significant portion of its majesty extends far beyond what meets the eye – hidden beneath the waves.

Mauna Kea, meaning "White Mountain" in Hawaiian, is a dormant giant, its peak reaching 13,796 feet above sea level. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, literally. The true majesty of Mauna Kea lies hidden beneath the waves. Its base rests on the ocean floor, a staggering 19,700 feet below the surface. Taking this submerged portion into account, Mauna Kea's total height reaches a mind-boggling 33,500 feet, dwarfing even Everest's impressive peak.

This hidden mass is a testament to Mauna Kea's volcanic origins. Over millions of years, successive eruptions piled layer upon layer of lava, building a behemoth that stretches from the ocean floor to pierce the clouds. Mauna Kea's underwater base is almost twice the height of its visible peak!

Cultural significance

For native Hawaiians, Mauna Kea is more than just a mountain; it's a sacred place known as "Wākea", the mountain named after the sky father in Hawaiian mythology. It's considered a portal to the heavens, a place of deep spiritual significance. Cultural practices and traditions have been conducted on its slopes for centuries, fostering a deep connection between the Hawaiian people and this natural wonder.

Astronomical importance

Mauna Kea's unique location and exceptional atmospheric conditions make it a premier site for astronomical observation. Its summit, dry and above much of the Earth's atmosphere, offers unparalleled clarity for viewing the cosmos. As a result, Mauna Kea is home to some of the world's most powerful telescopes, attracting astronomers from around the globe. In fact, stargazing on Mauna Kea is one of the free things you can do in Hawaii.

The Measuring Stick: Sea Level Vs. Base To Summit

Mount Everest and Mauna Kea each reign supreme by different mountain height measurement techniques

The Milky Way Above the Peak of Mauna Kea, Hawaii

The debate between Mount Everest and Mauna Kea for the title of world's tallest mountain boils down to one crucial factor: how experts measure mountain height. Traditionally, mountain heights are measured from mean sea level (MSL), a theoretical average of the Earth's ocean surface. This method provides a standardized reference point, allowing for consistent comparisons between mountains across the globe. Mount Everest reigns supreme using this approach, with its peak at a staggering 29,035 feet above sea level.

Measuring Mount Everest

Everest's elevation has been meticulously measured by various techniques over the years. Early explorers employed theodolites, specialized instruments for measuring angles. Modern technology utilizes GPS (Global Positioning System) for precise positioning. Regardless of the method, the measurement starts from a known sea level reference point, solidifying Everest's position as the highest peak above sea level.

Mauna Kea's Underwater Challenge

Mauna Kea presents a unique challenge. Since a significant portion of its mass lies submerged, traditional sea-level measurements don't capture its true colossal nature. When measured from its base on the ocean floor, a staggering 19,700 feet below the surface, Mauna Kea's total height reaches a remarkable 33,500 feet, surpassing Everest by a significant margin.

This discrepancy highlights the limitations of the sea-level approach. Mauna Kea's submerged base is an integral part of its geological structure, a testament to its volcanic origins. Ignoring this substantial portion creates an incomplete picture of the mountain's true stature.

How The Two Mountains Were Formed

Mauna Kea is a volcano whereas Mount Everest is the result of a collision

Mount Everest in the Himalayas

The contrasting heights of Mauna Kea and Mount Everest aren't just a matter of measurement; they stem from vastly different geological stories.

Mauna Kea – A Volcanic Colossus

Mauna Kea is a shield volcano, a broad, gently sloping giant formed by countless eruptions over millions of years. The Hawaiian hotspot, a plume of hot molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's mantle, is responsible for Mauna Kea's fiery past. As the Pacific Plate slowly drifts over this hotspot, successive eruptions piled layer upon layer of lava, gradually building Mauna Kea's immense form.

The key to Mauna Kea's impressive total height lies in its submerged base. As the volcano grew, lava flows extended above sea level and continued down the ocean floor, creating a massive underwater pedestal. This unique geological history explains why a significant portion of Mauna Kea's mass is hidden beneath the waves.

Everest – A Collision Course

Mount Everest, on the other hand, was born from a completely different process. It's part of the Himalayan mountain range, a product of the ongoing collision between the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate. These plates constantly push against each other, causing the immense pressure to crumple and fold the Earth's crust, thrusting Everest skyward.

Over millions of years, this colossal collision squeezed and deformed the underlying rock layers, pushing them upwards to form the towering peaks of the Himalayas. Everest's impressive elevation above sea level results from this ongoing tectonic activity, a testament to the immense forces shaping our planet's surface.

The debate surrounding measurement methods highlights the limitations of a single metric. While sea level offers a standardized reference point for global comparisons, it overlooks the vastness of Mauna Kea's submerged form. Ultimately, the "tallest" title hinges on perspective: are you focusing solely on the peak breaching the atmosphere, or do you consider the mountain's entire structure?

Regardless of height, Mauna Kea and Everest hold immense cultural and scientific importance. Mauna Kea, a sacred peak for native Hawaiians, is a window to the heavens, fostering cultural practices and housing powerful telescopes that unlock the universe's secrets.

Everest, a symbol of human ambition, is one of the hardest volcano hikes in the world. It beckons mountaineers to test their limits and has become a cornerstone of global mountaineering history.