What is the largest mountain in the world? Hint: It's not Mount Everest

Measuring mountains may seem straightforward, but determining the tallest or largest mountain is not as simple as it appears. Mountains are often part of larger ranges, and their measurement can vary depending on the criteria used. There are several ways to rank mountains: by height above sea level, distance from the Earth's centre, or even sheer mass. These methods can lead to different results, giving us various contenders for the title of the tallest or largest mountain on Earth.

For example, the most common method involves measuring from sea level, which places Mount Everest at the top. However, measuring from a mountain's base or factoring in the Earth's shape can change the ranking entirely. Explore how mountains are measured using different criteria.

5 tallest mountains measured from sea level

Using the most conventional method, measuring from sea level, the following mountains are considered the tallest in the world:

Mount Everest

At 29,032 feet (8,849 metres), Mount Everest is widely recognized as the highest mountain in the world. Located on the border of China and Nepal, it draws climbers from across the globe, although the popularity has led to overcrowding and environmental concerns.

K2

The second-highest mountain at 28,251 feet (8,611 metres), K2 is situated in the Karakoram range. Known for its extreme difficulty, it’s considered a more dangerous climb than Everest.

Kangchenjunga

At 28,169 feet (8,586 metres), Kanchenjunga is the third-highest mountain. It straddles the border between Nepal and India and remains a revered peak for mountaineers.

Lhotse

Standing at 27,940 feet (8,516 metres), Lhotse is part of the same range as Everest. It shares a significant portion of the same climbing route before diverging near the summit.

Makalu

Rising to 27,838 feet (8,485 metres), Makalu is another giant in the Himalayan range, located on the border of Nepal and China.

3 tall mountains measured by different criteria

While height above sea level is the most common standard, it’s not the only way to measure a mountain. Here are a few examples based on different criteria:

Mauna Kea (Hawaii)

If you measure from the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is technically the tallest mountain. It rises 33,474 feet (10,203 metres) from the base of the Pacific Ocean, making it taller than Everest when measured this way.

Denali (Alaska)

Measuring from base to peak on land, Denali is the tallest mountain in North America, standing at 18,000 feet (5,500 metres). Its summit, however, reaches 20,310 feet (6,190 metres) above sea level.

Chimborazo (Ecuador)

Due to the Earth's equatorial bulge, Chimborazo is considered the furthest point from the Earth's centre, even though its height above sea level (20,549 feet or 6,263 metres) is not as impressive as other peaks.

Mauna Loa: The largest mountain by volume

When it comes to the largest mountain in terms of mass, the title goes to Mauna Loa in Hawaii. This active volcano encompasses about 10,000 cubic miles (42,000 cubic kilometres) in volume. Although it stands just 13,678 feet (4,169 metres) above sea level, Mauna Loa’s sheer size makes it a true giant of the Earth.




Also read: Discover the 14 highest mountains in the world