Have you ever wondered what are the highest points on our planet? How high are they, where are they located, and what challenges do they pose for climbers and explorers?
Top 10 Highest Points on Earth
In this article, we will answer these questions and more as we reveal the top 10 highest points on Earth according to their elevation above sea level. We will also provide some interesting facts and trivia about each of these majestic peaks.
10. Annapurna I – 8,091 m (26,545 ft)
Annapurna I is the tenth highest mountain in the world and the first 8,000-meter peak to be climbed. It is located in the Himalayas in Nepal and is part of the Annapurna massif, which consists of six major peaks. Annapurna I is considered one of the most dangerous mountains to climb, with a fatality rate of around 32%. The name Annapurna means “goddess of the harvests” in Sanskrit and is also a Hindu deity. Annapurna I was first climbed by a French expedition led by Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal in 1950.
9. Nanga Parbat – 8,126 m (26,660 ft)
Nanga Parbat is the ninth highest mountain in the world and the westernmost 8,000-meter peak. It is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and is part of the Himalayas. Nanga Parbat means “naked mountain” in Urdu and is also known as the “killer mountain” due to its notorious reputation. Nanga Parbat has claimed the lives of many climbers, especially during the early attempts in the 1930s. The first successful ascent was made by a German-Austrian team led by Hermann Buhl in 1953
8. Manaslu – 8,163 m (26,781 ft)
Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world and the fourth highest in Nepal. It is located in the Mansiri Himal range of the Himalayas and is named after the Sanskrit word for “mountain of the spirit”. Manaslu is known for its steep and complex structure, which makes it a challenging climb. The first successful ascent was made by a Japanese expedition led by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu in 1956.
7. Dhaulagiri I – 8,167 m (26,795 ft)
Dhaulagiri I is the seventh highest mountain in the world and the fifth highest in Nepal. It is located in the Dhaulagiri Himal range of the Himalayas and is the highest point of the Gandaki river basin. Dhaulagiri means “white mountain” in Sanskrit and is also a Hindu deity. Dhaulagiri I is known for its massive size and symmetrical shape, which make it a stunning sight. The first successful ascent was made by a Swiss-Austrian-Nepali expedition led by Kurt Diemberger and Peter Diener in 1960.
6. Cho Oyu – 8,188 m (26,864 ft)
Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain in the world and the westernmost 8,000-meter peak. It is located on the border between Nepal and China and is part of the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Cho Oyu means “turquoise goddess” in Tibetan and is also a Buddhist deity. Cho Oyu is considered one of the easiest 8,000-meter peaks to climb, due to its moderate slopes and accessible routes. The first successful ascent was made by a Tibetan-Chinese expedition led by Herbert Tichy and Pasang Dawa Lama in 1954.
5. Makalu – 8,485 m (27,838 ft)
Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world and the third highest in Nepal. It is located in the Makalu-Barun National Park and is part of the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Makalu means “big black” in Tibetan and is also a Hindu deity. Makalu is known for its sharp and isolated peak, which makes it a difficult climb. The first successful ascent was made by a French expedition led by Jean Couzy and Lionel Terray in 1955.
4. Lhotse – 8,516 m (27,940 ft)
Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world and the second highest in Nepal. It is located on the border between Nepal and China and is part of the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Lhotse means “south peak” in Tibetan and is also a Buddhist deity. Lhotse is known for its proximity and connection to Mount Everest, as they share the same base camp and south col. The first successful ascent was made by a Swiss expedition led by Fritz Luchsinger and Ernst Reiss in 1956.
3. Kangchenjunga – 8,598 m (28,209 ft)
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in the world and the highest in India. It is located on the border between Nepal and India and is part of the Kangchenjunga Himal range of the Himalayas. Kangchenjunga means “five treasures of the snow” in Tibetan and refers to the five peaks that make up the massif. Kangchenjunga is considered a sacred mountain by the local people and is also a Hindu deity. Kangchenjunga is known for its immense size and complexity, which make it a formidable climb. The first successful ascent was made by a British expedition led by Charles Evans and Joe Brown in 1955.
2. K2 – 8,611 m (28,251 ft)
K2 is the second highest mountain in the world and the highest in Pakistan. It is located on the border between Pakistan and China and is part of the Karakoram range of the Himalayas. K2 is also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, Chhogori, or Qogir Feng. K2 is considered the most difficult and dangerous 8,000-meter peak to climb, due to its steepness, remoteness, and unpredictable weather. The first successful ascent was made by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio and Lino Lacedelli in 1954.
1. Mount Everest – 8,848.86 m (29,032 ft)
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world and the highest in Nepal and China. It is located on the border between Nepal and China and is part of the Mahalangur Himal range of the Himalayas. Mount Everest is also known as Sagarmatha, Chomolungma, or Zhumulangma. Mount Everest is considered the ultimate challenge and achievement for mountaineers and adventurers. The first successful ascent was made by a British expedition led by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 highest points on Earth according to their elevation above sea level. They are all located in the Himalayas or the Karakoram, which are the highest mountain ranges in the world. They are all stunning and awe-inspiring, but also extremely challenging and risky to climb. They represent the beauty and the danger of nature, as well as the human spirit of exploration and adventure.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Q: How many 8,000-meter peaks are there in the world?
A: There are 14 8,000-meter peaks in the world, all located in the Himalayas or the Karakoram.
Q: Which is the highest mountain in the world measured from base to summit?
A: Mauna Kea in Hawaii is the highest mountain in the world measured from base to summit, with a height of 10,210 m (33,500 ft). However, most of its height is underwater, so its elevation above sea level is only 4,205 m (13,796 ft).
Q: Which is the highest mountain in the world measured from the center of the Earth?
A: Chimborazo in Ecuador is the highest mountain in the world measured from the center of the Earth, with a height of 6,384.4 km (3,967.1 mi). This is because the Earth is not a perfect sphere, but an oblate spheroid, which means it bulges at the equator. Chimborazo is near the equator, so it benefits from this bulge.
Q: Which is the highest mountain in the world that has never been climbed?
A: Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan is the highest mountain in the world that has never been climbed, with an elevation of 7,570 m (24,836 ft). It is also the highest unclimbed peak in the world. It is considered sacred by the local people and climbing is prohibited by the government.
Q: Which is the highest mountain in the world outside Asia?
A: Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest mountain in the world outside Asia, with an elevation of 6,961 m (22,838 ft). It is also the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.
Q: Which is the highest mountain in the world that is not part of a mountain range?
A: Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest mountain in the world that is not part of a mountain range, with an elevation of 5,895 m (19,341 ft). It is also the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.