Height, depth and temperature: the most extreme places on Earth. The highest mountain in the world is Mauna Kea or Everest Mauna Kea is the highest mountain

Which mountain is the highest in the world? It depends on how you measure them. There are two mountains that claim to be the tallest in the world. The summit of Mount Everest is higher above sea level than the summit of any other mountain, but Mauna Kea is the highest when measured from base to summit. Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base, deep in the Pacific Ocean, to its summit. Discussion of the height issue hinges on the fact that most of Mauna Kea in Hawaii is underwater, and therefore measuring from the aforementioned sea level does not do justice to the enormous size.

The summit of Mauna Kea is 4,205 meters above sea level, but it extends approximately 6,000 meters below the surface of the water. Therefore, the total height is 10,210 meters, which is almost one and a half kilometers more than Mount Everest, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Thus, it is included in the list of the highest mountains in the world.

Mauna Kea means "White Mountain" in Hawaiian and its snowy peak attracts skiers and snowboarders. Its lower slopes are popular areas for hunting, hiking, sightseeing and bird watching.

Its location near the equator makes Mauna Kea an excellent astronomical observation site. Low humidity and clear skies make weather conditions near the volcano's summit almost ideal for many of the world's leading space observatories. The mountain's distance from city lights and the island's stark lighting also help provide the atmospheric clarity that telescopes require.

Mauna Kea is currently home to 13 telescopes, including NASA's Infrared Telescopes, Caltech Observatory and Japan's Subaru Telescope, as well as the Keck Interferometer Telescope, the largest single-mirror telescope in the world. Mauna Kea Center webcams allow viewers online to witness these star observatories in action.

The summit of Mauna Kea holds another record. In addition to being the top of the tallest mountain in the world, it is also home to the largest astronomical observatory in the world. This observatory is located above 40% of the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere at the top of the mountain is extremely dry and almost free of clouds. This makes it an ideal location for an observatory. This is one of the few places where you can see snow in Hawaii - the elevation is high enough and cold enough to accumulate snow.

In Hawaiian mythology, the peaks of the island of Hawaii are sacred, and Mauna Kea is one of the most sacred. An ancient law allowed only high-ranking tribal leaders to visit this peak. Ancient Hawaiians living on the slopes of Mauna Kea relied on its vast forests for food and quarried basalt from its slopes to make tools. In recent years, concerns about the vulnerability of the native species have led to court cases that have forced the Department of Land and Natural Resources to destroy all wild species on the mountain.

What is the highest mountain on Earth? Any of us will answer that this is Everest (aka Chomolungma and Sagarmatha (translated from Nepali)). But that's not true. There is a mountain that is 1000 m higher than Everest.

10040 (ten thousand forty) meters - this is the height of the mountain Mauna Kea(translated from Hawaiian - “ white mountain") is a dormant shield volcano on the island of Hawaii. Coordinates: 19.816667, -155.46666719°49′00″ N. w. 155°28′00″ W. d. / 19.816667° s. w. 155.466667° W d. (G) on the island of Hawaii. Volcano Mauna Kea- the largest mountain on Earth, if you measure its height from its underwater base, located in the Hawaiian Trench at a depth of 6000 m, to the top of the peak on the island. Hawaii. The total height of the mountain is 10,205 m, of which only 4,205 m are above sea level, which ultimately gives a height of one kilometer higher than Everest (from the Guinness Book).

The crater of the volcano has not been preserved. The peak was previously almost constantly covered with snow (hence the name), now the snow cap persists from November to March. Geologists have been studying the glaciers of Mauna Kea for a long time. Recent work indicates that remnants of ice from three ice ages (from 150 thousand to 200 thousand years ago) were preserved on the volcano. The ice cap formed approximately 70 thousand years ago. Of course, ice lay on the volcano before, but all of it was destroyed by young lava flows. Mauna Kea is currently an inactive volcano; its last eruption took place about 4.5 thousand years ago.

View from the top of Mauna Kea

Due to its position, Mauna Kea is a convenient place for atmospheric and astronomical observations; the observatory of the same name is located there.

Few people know that Mauna Kea, located in Hawaii, is considered higher than Everest. True, only the peak of this giant can be seen above sea level, since it protrudes from the water at 4205 meters. The rest of the mountain is hidden from view, so it is rare that this mountain is among the highest. The absolute height of the peak is 10,203 meters, which exceeds Everest by more than a kilometer.

Mauna Kea - a dangerous volcano or a calm mountain?

The volcano is classified as a shield volcano due to its shield-like shape. In pictures the crater is not clearly expressed and more often it looks like a caldera. This species appears due to frequent eruptions of high temperature liquid lava. The magma flow in this case covers the entire surrounding area and forms a slightly sloping slope.

Mauna Kea appeared a million years ago, and its peak activity ended 250,000 years ago. Currently, researchers classify it as extinct and set minimum values for the probability of awakening. Shield volcanoes typically go through several stages:

pre-panel - occurs from the moment the hot spot is formed;
shield period – is the most active period;
post-shield – the form is finally formed, but the behavior is already predictable;
inaction.

Today it is the highest mountain in the world, most of which is under water. It is part of the Hawaiian archipelago and one of Hawaii's most striking attractions. What makes Mauna Kea special is its snow cap, which is rare to see in tropical climates. That is why the name appeared, meaning “White Mountain”.

Tourists come here not only to soak up the beach, but also to go skiing or snowboarding. The view from the mountain is stunning, so you can take beautiful photos or just walk around the surrounding area, because there are several nature reserves here due to the presence of dozens of endangered endemic species.

World Observatory

Since Hawaii is located close to the equator, the island becomes an ideal place for astronomical observations. It is not surprising that the highest mountain in the world has become a real center for the study of celestial bodies. Mauna Kea is located far enough from the city that the lights are not likely to spoil the view, resulting in ideal atmospheric clarity.

Today there are 13 telescopes from different countries on the mountain. Among the most significant are the Keck Interferometer Telescope, NASA Infrared Telescopes and the Japanese Subaru Telescope. If you want to take a look at this large-scale center for astronomical research, you can connect to a webcam that allows you to watch the work of the observatories online.

Not everyone knows that Mauna Kea is famous for another record. Not only are telescopes from eleven countries gathered at the summit, but they are also located at the highest point, exceeding 40% of the atmospheric layer. At this altitude, it is relatively dry, so no clouds form, which is ideal for year-round stargazing.

Flora and fauna of the giant mountain

Mauna Kea is an amazing place with several nature reserves. Each of them occupies a certain area depending on the height of the mountain. The summit is a rather aggressive environment with high illumination and solar radiation. This is an alpine zone characterized by low temperatures and strong winds.

The flora in this zone consists of perennial low-growing grasses, most of which are evergreen. In the Alpine Belt Nature Reserve, they are trying to monitor an endangered species of wolf spider, which chooses altitudes of more than 4,000 meters as its habitat. Forest scarf butterflies are also found here; they hide from the cold between the stones.

The second layer is occupied by a reserve protecting the Golden-leaved Sophora. These leguminous trees grow exclusively in Hawaii, but their population declined significantly after Europeans arrived on the island in the 18th century. Currently, the number of trees is 10% of the original forest size. The area of the reserve is estimated at 210 square meters. km.

The lower elevation of Mauna Kea is the third reserve, which is home to endangered species of plants and birds. Ecosystems have been severely damaged by imported cattle and sheep, as well as extensive clearing for sugar plantations. To preserve endangered species, it was decided to eradicate introduced species from the island.

Since school, many of us know and remember that the tallest mountain on the planet is Everest. However, there are scientists trying to refute this thesis. The fact is that mountains are measured in different ways and depending on the method that was chosen for measurement, noteworthy results are obtained. Do you know the name of the tallest mountain in the world under water? Many will not be able to answer this question, but there is a mountain on the planet called Mauna Kea and its height is 1300 meters higher than the well-known Everest.

A treacherous volcano or a harmless mountain?

In fact, Mauna Kea is an inactive volcano classified as a shield volcano. In the photos available on the Internet, there are no clearly visible boundaries of the crater; most often you can just see a large cauldron. This type of volcano is associated with repeated eruptions of hot liquid molten rocks. The surrounding area is covered by a stream of gushing magma in such a way that slightly sloping slopes are formed.

The peak activity of the volcano, which appeared a million years ago, ended 250 thousand years ago. According to researchers, the awakening of the extinct volcano is currently unlikely.

Shield types of volcanoes go through several stages:

The panel board begins with the emergence of a hot spot;
During the shield stage the volcano is most active;
At the post-shield stage, the formation of the form is completed. At this time, it is impossible to predict the behavior of the volcano;
The final stage is inaction.

Mauna Kea, which is part of the Hawaiian Islands, is currently considered the highest mountain on the planet, despite the fact that most of it is located under water. The mountain is notable for tourists for its snow cap, which is absolutely not typical for a tropical climate. This is the reason for its name, meaning “White Mountain”.

World Observatory

Currently, thirteen telescopes from different countries are installed on the top of Mauna Kea. The most important are the Keck Observatory of Hawaii, the US National Space Administration's infrared space telescopes and the Subaru 8.2-meter optical telescope. You can watch the work of the observatories online: by connecting to a webcam.

In addition to the fact that Mauna Kea amazes scientists with its height, it also leads in terms of the level at which telescopes are assembled. The devices are located at a height exceeding 40 percent of the atmospheric layer, due to which relative dryness is achieved. The absence of clouds at this altitude allows year-round stargazing.

Flora and fauna

There are three nature reserves on the giant mountain. The flora of the summit is represented by perennial low-growing grasses that are not afraid of low temperatures and strong winds inherent in the alpine belt. In the Reserve, located on the top of Mauna Kea, they observe an endangered wandering predator - the wolf spider, which lives at an altitude of 4 thousand meters. Between the stones, heated by the sun's rays, you can see Forest Scarf butterflies hiding from the cold.

On the second layer there is a reserve with an area of 21,000 hectares, under the protection of which is Sophora aureus, endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. Europeans who settled the island in the 18th century caused a significant decline in the legume population. Currently, only 10% of the trees remain.

At the bottom of the mountain there is a reserve with endangered species of plants and animals. The ecological system was severely damaged after the importation of cattle and the clearing of land for planting sugar cane. In order to preserve the endangered flora, it was decided to eradicate large-horned animals from the island.

Rest

Every year, more than 100,000 people from all over the world come to admire the beauty of Mauna Kea. You can get to the top of the mountain using powerful SUVs. The main attraction of the giant mountain is the observatory.

In winter, tourists can go skiing, although the routes at the very top are not suitable for such leisure activities due to the high wind speed, which reaches 100 kilometers per hour.

No, I haven’t forgotten about Everest, but what they tell us at school is not entirely true. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the highest mountain in the world is not Chomolungma, but Mauna Kea.

REALLY HIGH

It is also the highest point in the Hawaiian Islands. This mountain is an inactive volcano. Mauna Kea stands proudly above the Pacific Ocean at 4,205 meters above sea level, but beneath the surface lies its biggest secret. What appears to our eyes is only a small part of this majestic mountain. Its height, when calculated from the ocean floor, is neither more nor less 10,203 meters.

WHITE MOUNTAIN

Since ancient times, Mauna Kea has been of particular importance to local residents; the mountain appears in local mythology as the most sacred of all peaks; at one time, only tribal leaders and no one else could climb here. In Hawaiian, “Mauna Kea” means “white mountain”; it is so called because in winter its peaks are always covered with a dense layer of snow. At the top of the volcano, at an altitude of 3730 - 4190 meters above sea level, there is one of the most effective observatories in the world - the Mauna Kea Observatory. Due to its high altitude and isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is recognized as one of the best places in the world for astronomical observations.

HER AGE IS 1,000,000 YEARS OLD!

According to scientists, Mauna Kea is about a million years old, but the period of high activity of the volcano passed hundreds of thousands of years ago. Scientists believe that the last eruption of Mauna Kea occurred 4-6 thousand years ago. The volcano currently has a minimum rating according to the US Geological Survey. In recent years, experts have been greatly concerned about the environmental situation on Mauna Kea.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Since Europeans settled here in the 18th century and began raising livestock, the volcano's native flora and fauna have suffered serious damage, with many species now on the verge of extinction. In an attempt to save Mauna Kea, the Hawaii Department of Natural Resources even decided to eradicate plant and animal species introduced here in order to return the volcano to its true appearance and preserve the unique representatives of flora and fauna. In particular, Mauna Kea is home to forests of Goldenleaf Sophora, a leguminous tree that remains only in Hawaii. Complete extinction threatens 8 bird species and 12 plant species in the lower Mauka Kea zone within a 2-kilometer belt. The wolf spider lives here, which can live at an altitude of 4,200 m. A local attraction is the Forest Scarf butterfly, which hides in the crevices of stones that are heated and retain the heat received during the day.

WORLD OBSERVATORY

Due to its close location to the equator, Hawaii is considered an ideal place to conduct astronomical observations. Therefore, no one is surprised by the fact that Mauna Kea is a real center for the study of astronomical objects that emit their own or reflected light. Today, thirteen telescopes from different countries are installed on the top of Mauna Kea. The most important are the Keck Observatory of Hawaii, the US NASA Infrared Space Telescopes and the Subaru 8.2-meter optical telescope. The absence of clouds at this altitude allows year-round stargazing.

MAIN ATTRACTION

Today Mauna Kea is the most popular attraction in Hawaii; about 100,000 tourists from all over the world come here every year. They climb the slopes of the volcano, can get to the top by SUV along the road laid to it, visit the observatory, and in the winter months go skiing.

The most convenient way to get to the Hawaiian Islands is by plane; the first-class Kona International Airport is located in the western part of the island. I think we would have plenty to do on these islands.