On our own planet high point Mount Chomolungma (Everest) is considered above sea level. Meanwhile, if we consider the height of the peak not relative to the sea, but from the base of the mountain, then the highest is Mauna Kea on Hawaiian Islands. Its height is 10,203 m, it is 1355 m higher than Everest, however, a significant part of it is under water, it protrudes only 4205 m above the sea. In this regard, there are frequent disputes about which is the highest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea or Everest ?
The highest seven peaks
Every climber dreams of conquering at least one of the highest mountains on our planet, and only the most stubborn and courageous travelers can conquer all the record-breaking peaks.
The climbing project "Seven Peaks" contains the highest peaks of the world, located in different parts of the world. The participants of the project are those conquerors of peaks who have visited each of these mountains. Currently, there are about 230 such climbers. Everest the highest mountain in the world , also included in this list.
McKinley
This is the highest peak North America(6168 meters). She is located in Alaska. The first to explore the peak was the Russian traveler Zagoskin L.A., he was the first to explore the mountain from all sides. The first conquest of the summit took place in 1913. The summit received its current name in 1896, it is named after one of the US presidents.
Is the highest mountain in the world Mauna Kea or Everest?
Everest is the most significant mountain in Asia and throughout the world, located in the Himalayas, in China and Nepal. The top has the shape of a pyramid, on the south side the slope is free of snow and ice.
Everest high mountain in the world, was first conquered in 1953. It was not easy, because the weather at the top is extremely unfavorable. The wind sometimes rises to 55 meters per second, and the thermometer drops to -60 ° C.
This is the highest peak in Africa (5891.8 m). Is an active volcano and is located in Tanzania. At the top of the mountain there is an ice cap, which is getting smaller every year and, according to experts, will melt completely by 2200. This peak was first conquered by Hans Meyer in 1889. In the process of climbing to the top, you can observe with your own eyes all the climatic zones of our planet. The best time to visit this mountain is from May to October, otherwise it is the rainy season.
The easiest route for beginners can be overcome in just six days, without even taking a tent with you, as tourists can stay in special huts on the way to the top.
Elbrus is considered the highest mountain in Europe (5942 m), meanwhile, this version causes a lot of controversy. After all, it is located in Russia, in Kabardino-Balkaria, and some geographers believe that it is located in Asia. If you agree with them, then Mont Blanc (4810 m) can be considered the highest European mountain.
The first conquest of Elbrus took place in 1829. Climbing the mountain is not difficult, not very experienced climbers can do it, although there are also complicated routes.
Mont Blanc is located in the Alps on the border of France and Italy. For the first time people climbed this peak in 1786. US President T. Roosevelt conquered the peak on his honeymoon.
The summit is the most significant South America, it is located in the Andes (Argentina). The height of the mountain is 6962 m. It is the largest on the planet dormant volcano. Its name is translated as "stone guard". It is easier to conquer the mountain from the north side, and from the south and south-west the path to its top is much more difficult. The mountain was first climbed by Edward Fitzgerald in 1897.
Peak Vinson is the most high peak Antarctica (4897 m). The mountain was first climbed by Nicholas Clinch in 1966. The mountains got their name in honor of the politician C. Vinson, who sponsored the study of the coldest continent on Earth.
Conquering this peak is not easy due to the hardest weather conditions, because in summer it is about minus thirty degrees, and in winter - all -60.
These mountains are considered the highest in Australia. The first - if we count only the continent (2228 m), the second - if we mean Australia and Oceania (4884 m). Kosciuszko is located in the Australian Alps. The first ascent to it took place in 1840. It was conquered by the Pole P. Strzelecki, who gave the mountain its name.
The Carstens Pyramid is located on about. New Guinea in the Maoke massif. The summit was first conquered in 1962 by Austrian climbers.
The highest mountain in the world Mauna Kea
If we talk about the actual height of the mountain, then Mauna Kea is certainly the highest. However, the highest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea, is more equipped in terms of infrastructure than Everest. At the top there are numerous observatories, and on the slopes built ski resorts. Here you can have a great rest with your family, which you can’t do on Chomolungma.
Despite the fact that Mauna Kea rises above sea level "only" a little over 4,200 meters, this mountain is the highest on our planet. Most of it is hidden under water, and its foot begins at a depth exceeding 10,000 m. Thus, it is Maune Kei who holds the record for the highest mountain, and not Everest, as is commonly believed.
Mauna Kea is located in the Hawaiian Islands pacific ocean and is the highest point in that region.
The inhabitants of the islands have great respect for the mountain, considering its peak sacred place. Even today, not all Hawaiians can climb to the summit, and only high-ranking chiefs are allowed to visit the peak of Mauna Kei. 
The age of the mountain is about 1 million years, but it "lived" its most active period of life about 500 thousand years ago, and at present the volcano is extinct, and scientists believe that the nearest eruption is not expected in the foreseeable future. Although it is impossible to completely exclude the activity of Mauna Kea, most of the inhabitants of the region feel quite calm. The fact is that there are 13 observatories on the top of the mountain - the mountain is just perfect for astronomical observations. Scientists who are constantly above the very mouth of the volcano, as well as scientific geological equipment located there, minimize the suddenness of the beginning eruption. Therefore, the US Geological Survey assigned the lowest possible rating to the volcano. 
Although Mauna Kea is located in tropical latitudes, on its top all year round snow lies, having formed large ice caps over the centuries. The slopes of the volcano are completely overgrown with dense forest, in some places almost impassable. 
The ancient Hawaiians revered the thicket of Mauna Kea, which gave them food. Before the arrival of Europeans on the island, indigenous people existed thanks to the fruits of the forest. However, the appearance of pets with " mainland"only shook the ecological balance of nature, and some representatives of the unique fauna have disappeared, and the rest are under pressure from imported animals and plants. It got to the point that the Hawaiian authorities took an unprecedented step, announcing the start of the eradication of imported species of flora and fauna. 
At the top of the volcano is the so-called alpine belt. This place is characterized by high illumination (respectively, high solar radiation). average temperature air below zero degrees. Strong winds are typical. Neither trees nor shrubs grow in such alpine meadows. Most of flora in this zone it is represented by low herbaceous perennials, among which there are also evergreens. 
At the top of Mauna Kea is the Alpine Belt Reserve. Under its protection are all representatives of the animal and plant world that live on such high altitude. A wolf spider lives here, which can live at an altitude of 4,200 m. The total number of spiders on the summit is not known, since the study of the endemic began only in the 80s of the XX century. 
A local attraction is the "Forest Shawl" butterfly, which hides in crevices of stones that are heated and retain the heat received during the day. 
Beneath the alpine meadows lies a forest of Sophora aureus, a leguminous tree found only in Hawaii. The forest area is constantly shrinking, under the yoke of imported species. It is estimated that the current forest area of Sophora is only 10% of the former, so they are declared on the verge of extinction. Now the entire forest area (212 sq. km) is a reserve.
Below 2 km. is the lower zone of Mauna Kea, which is also a nature reserve. There are 8 species of birds that are on the verge of extinction, and 12 species of plants, the number of which is also inexorably falling. Great damage to the ecosystem was caused by Europeans who arrived in Hawaii and cut down a significant part of the trees for their settlements, as well as cleared places for future sugar plantations.
More than 100 thousand tourists from all over the world visit the mountain every year. A road has been laid to the peak, along which powerful SUVs can reach. The main attraction at the top of the volcano (besides the beautiful view) are the observatories. 13 scientific astronomical centers from 11 countries have been built on Mauna Kea.
During the winter months, when the snow cover is thicker, many visitors to Mauna Kea go skiing. True, the routes are chosen not at the very top, where the wind speed can reach 110 km / h, but a little lower.
The birth of Mauna Kea began about 800,000 years ago, the mountain is located on
Hawaiian Islands
.
Mauna Kea translates as "White Mountain", the name comes from the snows that cover the top of the mountain from November to March.
The mountain was first climbed by Joseph Goodrich, back in 1823, but still attracts climbers.
Mauna Kea is associated with a wide variety of legends and stories. Some Hawaiians still believe that the mountain is guarded by the great goddess "Pele", and if anyone encroaches on even a small piece of the mountain, she will inevitably kill this person.
Mount Mauna Kea is very unusual and beautiful.
Thousands of tourists come here every year to see how this very big mountain in the world, although it does not rank first in height.
Mauna Kea is amazing and mysterious mountain v America .
white mountain
The geological history of Mauna Kea is reflected in its legends. The main thing actor in them - Pele. This creature is often called the goddess of fire and volcanoes, but this is not entirely accurate, the Hawaiians attribute Pele to the "kupua", spirits with supernatural powers, messengers of the gods. In other words, kupua is about the same as an angel or demon among Christians and Muslims. There is a belief that the kupua has descendants living among local residents. According to legend, one fine day, Pele and her four friends: Lilinoe, the mistress of the fogs, Vaioau, in whose power the underground waters (Vaioau is called the lake on Mauna Kea), Kahouupokane, in charge of springs, and Poliahu, the snow maiden, decided to slide down on a sled from the rocks (note: from the rocks, there is no volcano yet!), and not just like that, but to arrange a competition for speed. Who won was unclear, but Pele claimed she was the first and the maidens began to quarrel. Kahouupokane stamped her foot in anger - and an earthquake began, Lilinoe shrouded everything in fog, Vaioau released underground waters. Then Pele caused an underground fire that poured out with red-hot lava. Poliach belongs to the last point in this mythical-geological story: she was the first to run to the top of a fire-breathing mountain that rose from the ocean and covered it with snow. "Mauna Kea" in the local dialect and means "White Mountain". But Pele also did not give up and from time to time threw clots of red-hot lava at her rivals, and then reconciled. Everything, as in the geological history of the volcano: according to it, eruptions after the main cataclysm periodically repeated for some time, and then stopped. It happened about 6000-4000 years ago. Since then, the Mauna Kea volcano has been dormant, and it appeared in the late Pleistocene era (the Pleistocene ended about 12,000 years ago).
In the Guinness Book of Records, the Mauna Kea volcano is listed as the highest mountain on Earth (10,203 m), higher (according to the latest measurements, 8850 m). There are many references to such a comparison, but all of them are incorrect from the point of view of topographic measurements: the height of the mountain should be calculated from the surface of the earth, in this case from sea level, and not from the bottom of the ocean. So Everest is Everest, and the true height of Mauna Kea is 4205 m.
Low humidity is provided by the features of the relief of the volcano. Due to the fact that its rocks are constantly freezing and thawing, bands of fine-grained and coarse-grained stone material are formed, like streams flowing down the slopes of the cone. Through them, the melted water rushes to the foot of the volcano. Constantly moistened volcanic ash created fertile soil there. A tropical cloud layer, reaching about 600 m thick, is located below the summit and in turn insulates it from the penetration of moist sea air and atmospheric pollutants.
The upper level of Mauna Kea is figuratively called the kingdom of Eol (the god of the wind among the ancient Greeks). The wind speed at the top reaches 110 km/h. High levels of solar radiation and low levels of oxygen. Here, in the alpine belt, only herbaceous perennials grow, spiders live, and among them are the endemic wolf spider and the endemic forest scarf butterfly. Below begins a forest of shrubs or trees of the golden-leaved sophora of the legume family, endemic to Hawaii. The modern area of these forests has decreased by 10% from that determined for the first time in the 19th century. The area of these forests today is 212 km2, they are declared protected. Below the tropical forest begins, where only 8 species of endemic birds nest, and 12 species of plants that are unique even for the endemic flora of Hawaii.
The main attraction of Mauna Kea is its astronomical complex at the top: it is 13 scientific centers 11 countries and, accordingly, 13 most advanced telescopes. The complex appeared on Mauna Kea in 1964, shortly after the road was laid to the top. The conservationists of the mountain-volcano have a number of serious arguments against the existence of observatories. Well, the most weighty argument “for” refers to security considerations: the most accurate astronomical instruments will be the first to notice the slightest disturbance in the volcano’s mouth, and the fact that it can wake up one day is not at all excluded, volcanologists believe.
general information
One of the five volcanoes of the island of Hawaii. The other four are Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Hualalai, Kohala.
Type: shield.
Geographical position: Oceania, the island of Hawaii of the archipelago of the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Affiliation: USA, state of Hawaii, the highest point of the state.
Climbing season: all year round.
Lake: Waioau.
Best season for skiing and snowboarding: from the end of January to March.
Major airport: international Airport Honolulu (Oahu island of the Hawaiian archipelago).
Numbers
Height: 4205 m.
Hawaii island area ( big island):
10,432.5 km2.
Mauna Kea area: 2378.61 km 2 or 22.8% of the area of the island.
Economy
Scientific research.
Tourism.
Climate and weather
Mountain (alpine).
The temperature at the top of Mauna Kea during the winter months ranges from -4°C to +4°C, but because of the winds it seems that it is much colder there.
During the summer months, the temperature ranges from 0 to +15°C.
Average annual rainfall
: on the slopes - 800 mm, at the foot - up to 4000 mm.
sights
Waioau is one of the highest mountain lakes in the world - it is located at an altitude of 3968 m.
Researchers from the National astronomical observatory In April 2012, Japan was informed that, while working at the observatory on Mauna Kea, they discovered the most distant cluster of galaxies from Earth. The distance to it is 12.7 billion light years. This is more than 70 million light years more than the distance to the most distant cluster of galaxies known so far. The scientific significance of the discovery is that it can change the current view of the evolution of galaxies after the Big Bang.
No, we have not forgotten about Everest, but what we were all told at school is not entirely true. According to the Guinness Book of Records high mountain in the world is not Chomolungma, but Mauna Kea. It is also the highest point in Hawaii. It is an inactive shield volcano located on the island of Hawaii in the Hawaiian Islands archipelago.
Mauna Kea rises above the water to a height of 4,205 meters, but its biggest secret is kept under water. What is revealed 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 than 10,203 meters.
Since ancient times, Mauna Kea has been especially important for local residents, the mountain appears in local mythology as the most sacred of all peaks, only tribal leaders and no one else could climb here at one time. In Hawaiian, "Mauna Kea" means " white mountain", it is called so because in winter time 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 interesting observatories in the world - the Mauna Kea Observatory. Thanks to its location at a sufficient height and isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it is recognized as one of the the best places world for astronomical observations.
According to scientists, the age of Mauna Kea is about a million years, but the period of high activity of the volcano passed hundreds of thousands of years ago. According to 2003 data, the last eruption of Mauna Kea occurred from 6 to 4 thousand years ago. Currently, the volcano has a minimum rating according to the US Geological Survey.
In recent years, the ecological situation on Mauna Kea has caused great concern among specialists. Since Europeans settled here in the 18th century and began to raise cattle, the true flora and fauna of the volcano began to be seriously damaged, many species are now on the verge of extinction. In an attempt to save the Mauna Kea Department natural resources Hawaii even decided to eradicate plant and animal species brought here in order to return the volcano to its true form and preserve unique representatives of flora and fauna. In particular, Mauna Kea is home to forests of Golden Sophora, a leguminous tree that only remains in Hawaii. Their area today is only 10% of the former. Total extinction threatens 8 bird species and 12 plant species in the lower zone of Mauka Kea within a 2 km belt.
Today, Mauna Kea is the most popular attraction in Hawaii, annually about 100,000 tourists from all over the world come here. They climb the slopes of the volcano, they can get to the top in an SUV along the road laid to it, visit the observatory, and during the winter months ride skiing.
The most convenient way to get to the island of Hawaii is by plane; the Kona International Airport (KOA) is located in the western part of the island. The most popular transport for getting around the island is a car that you rent with or without a driver. Go to Mauna Kea organized tours, which can be purchased at numerous travel agencies.
Though mauna kea rises above sea level "only" a little over 4,200 meters, this mountain is the highest on our planet. Most of it is hidden under water, and its foot begins at a depth exceeding 10,000 m. Thus, it is Maune Kei that holds the record for the highest mountain, and not Everest, as is commonly believed.
Mauna Kea is located in the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is the highest point in that region. The inhabitants of the islands treat the mountain with great respect, considering its peak a sacred place. Even today, not all Hawaiians can climb the summit, and only high-ranking chiefs are allowed to visit Mauna Kei Peak.
The age of the mountain is about 1 million years, but it "lived" its most active period of life about 500 thousand years ago, and at present the volcano is extinct, and scientists believe that the nearest eruption is not expected in the foreseeable future. Although the activity of Mauna Kea cannot be completely ruled out, most residents of the region feel quite calm. The fact is that there are 13 observatories on the top of the mountain - the mountain is just perfect for astronomical observations. Scientists who are constantly above the very mouth of the volcano, as well as scientific geological equipment located there, minimize the suddenness of the beginning eruption. So USGS assigned the volcano the lowest possible rating.
Although Mauna Kea is located in the tropical latitudes, snow lies on its summit all year round, having formed large ice caps over the centuries. The slopes of the volcano are completely overgrown with dense forest, in some places almost impassable. The ancient Hawaiians revered the thickets of Mauna Kea, which provided them with food. Before the arrival of Europeans on the island, the indigenous population existed thanks to the fruits of the forest. However, the appearance of domestic animals from the “mainland” only shook the ecological balance of nature, and some representatives of the unique fauna disappeared, while the rest are under pressure from imported animals and plants. It got to the point that the Hawaiian authorities took an unprecedented step, announcing the start of the eradication of imported species of flora and fauna.
Flora and fauna
At the top of the volcano is the so-called alpine belt. This place is characterized by high illumination (respectively, high solar radiation). The average air temperature is below zero degrees. Strong winds are typical. Neither trees nor shrubs grow in such alpine meadows. Most of the flora in this zone is represented by low herbaceous perennials, among which there are evergreens.
At the top of Mauna Kea is Reserve of the Alpine belt. Under his protection are all representatives of the animal and plant world that live at such a high altitude. lives here wolf spider, which can live at an altitude of 4,200 m. The total number of spiders on the summit is not known, since the study of the endemic began only in the 80s of the XX century. Local attraction - butterfly forest scarf”, which hides in the crevices of stones, heated and retaining the heat received during the day.
Below the alpine meadows is a forest consisting of Golden leaf Sophora- leguminous trees growing only in Hawaii. The forest area is constantly shrinking, under the yoke of imported species. It is estimated that the current forest area of Sophora is only 10% of the former, so they are declared on the verge of extinction. Now the entire forest area (212 sq. km) is a reserve.
Below 2 km. located lower zone of Mauna Kea which is also a nature reserve. There are 8 species of birds that are on the verge of extinction, and 12 species of plants, the number of which is also inexorably falling. Great damage to the ecosystem was caused by Europeans who arrived in Hawaii and cut down a significant part of the trees for their settlements, as well as cleared places for future sugar plantations.
Relaxation
More than 100 thousand tourists from all over the world visit the mountain every year. A road has been laid to the peak, along which powerful SUVs can reach. The main attraction at the top of the volcano (besides the beautiful view) are the observatories. 13 scientific astronomical centers from 11 countries have been built on Mauna Kea.
During the winter months, when the snow cover is thicker, many visitors to Mauna Kea go skiing. True, the routes are chosen not at the very top, where the wind speed can reach 110 km / h, but a little lower.
