Measuring Mount Everest entails complexities due to frostbite and politics.
In the world of mountaineering, two iconic peaks have been at the centre of a fascinating debate - Mount Everest in Nepal and Chimborazo in Ecuador.
Chimborazo, nestled in the Andes, holds a unique title. When measured from the Earth's centre to the point farthest away on its surface, it stands tall at 20,946,288 feet, a staggering 6,864 feet taller than Mount Everest. This extraordinary height has been a subject of intrigue for geographers and mountaineers alike.
However, the question of Chimborazo's height is not as straightforward as it seems. A devastating earthquake in 2015 raised concerns about the mountain's height potentially changing by several centimeters or more. Despite this, all three readings - from 1954, 1999, and 2005 - are still in use and recognised by different entities. For instance, the National Geographic Society uses the 1999 survey figure of 29,035 feet.
On the other hand, Mount Everest, the world's highest peak above sea level, has its own set of controversies. The official height of Everest is determined by a joint survey and agreement between the governments of Nepal and China. The first survey, undertaken in the 1850s, was led by a British team and calculated sea level by building a network of line-of-sight stations from the Bay of Bengal.
The question persists whether to include the fluctuating blanket of snow and ice or just to measure up to the highest point of rock beneath the snow and ice when determining Everest's height. This debate has gained renewed interest due to international politics surrounding the re-measurement of Everest and the joint announcement of the findings by Nepal and China.
Recently, Khimlal Gautam, a Nepalese mountaineer, climbed Mount Everest on May 22, 2019, during one of the busiest climbing seasons in the mountain's history. Gautam and his team set up a GPS antenna and deployed ground-penetrating radar to measure the depth of the snow beneath their crampons. Their efforts are eagerly anticipated as they aim to provide a new official height for Mount Everest.
The project, spearheaded by Nepal's Survey Department, seeks to pinpoint the summit elevation as accurately as possible and to make a statement of national pride. The results, if confirmed, could potentially redefine the heights of these two iconic peaks, adding a new chapter to the intriguing story of mountain measurement.
In the realm of geodesy, the science of measuring the Earth, geodesists play a crucial role. They specialize in defining the shape of the Earth, providing the basis for GPS. The most common ellipsoid model is the WGS84 coordinate reference system, which is the basis for most modern GPS systems.
The Earth, it seems, is more like a lumpy potato due to the uneven distribution of the Earth's mass. Yet, the Earth's surface is less bumpy than it appears, and if shrunk to the size of a billiard ball, it would be smoother than a cue ball. This paradox underscores the complexity and fascination of studying our planet.
The tale of Chimborazo and Mount Everest serves as a reminder of the ongoing quest to understand our world and the challenges that come with it. As we await the official height of Mount Everest, one thing is certain - the spirit of exploration and discovery remains as vibrant as ever.
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