2nd highest mountain in the world. The highest mountains in the world by continent
The process of formation of mountains on Earth lasts millions of years. They arise from huge collisions tectonic plates, of which the earth's crust is composed.
Today we will get acquainted with the highest mountains on 6 continents and see how they look against the backdrop of the highest mountain peaks in the world - the “eight thousand meters”, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters.
How many continents are there on Earth? Sometimes it is believed that Europe and Asia are 2 different continents, although they are one continent:
Before we start talking about the tallest mountains on the 6 continents, let's take a look at the overall chart of the tallest peaks on Earth.
"Eight-thousanders" is the common name for the 14 highest mountain peaks in the world, whose height above sea level exceeds 8,000 meters. They are all in Asia. Conquering all 14 “eight-thousanders” on the planet - conquering the “Crown of the Earth” - is a great achievement in high-altitude mountaineering. As of July 2012, only 30 climbers managed to do this. (Clickable, 2010×810 px):
North America - Mount McKinley, 6,194 m
This highest double-headed mountain North America, named after the 25th President of the United States. Located in Alaska.
Indigenous peoples called this peak “Denali,” which means “great,” and during the period of Russian colonization of Alaska it was simply called Big Mountain.
Mount McKinley, view from national park Denali:
The first ascent of the main summit of McKinley took place on June 7, 1913. There are 5 large glaciers on the slopes of the mountain.
South America - Mount Aconcagua, 6,962 m
This is the highest point of the American continent, South America, as well as Western and southern hemispheres. They belong to the longest mountain range in the world - the Andes.
The mountain is located in Argentina and means "Stone Guardian" in the Quechua language. Aconcagua is the largest extinct volcano on our planet.
In mountaineering, Aconcagua is considered a technically easy mountain if you climb along the northern slope.
The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1897.
Europe – Mount Elbrus, 5,642 m
This stratovolcano in the Caucasus is the highest peak in Russia. Considering that the border between Europe and Asia is ambiguous, Elbrus is often also called the highest European mountain peak. (Clickable, 2500×663 px):
Elbrus is a two-headed volcano with a saddle. The Western peak has a height of 5,642 m, the Eastern - 5,621 m. The last eruption dates back to 50 AD...
In those days, the eruptions of Elbrus were probably similar to the eruptions of modern Vesuvius, but were more powerful. From the craters of the volcano at the beginning of the eruption, powerful clouds of vapors and gases, saturated with black ash, rose many kilometers upward, covering the entire sky, turning day into night. The earth shook from powerful tremors.
Nowadays, both peaks of Elbrus are covered with eternal snow and ice. On the slopes of Elbrus they diverge into different sides 23 glaciers. Average speed glacier movement is about 0.5 meters per day.
The first successful ascent to one of the peaks of Elbrus was made in 1829. The average annual death toll during climbing on Elbrus is 15-30 people. (Clickable, 1650×630 px):
Everest (Chomolungma) is the top of our world! The first highest eight-thousander and the highest mountain on Earth.
The mountain is located in the Himalayas in the Mahalangur Himal range, with the Southern peak (8760 m) lying on the border of Nepal, and the Northern (main) peak (8848 m) located in China.
Everest has the shape of a triangular pyramid. At the top of Chomolungma there are strong winds blowing at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and the air temperature at night drops to -60 Celsius.
The first ascent to the top of Everest took place in 1953. From the first ascent to 2011, more than 200 people died on the slopes of Everest. Now the climb to the top takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and setting up camps.
View from space:
Climbing Everest is not only extremely dangerous, but also expensive: the cost of climbing in specialized groups is up to 65 thousand US dollars, and the climbing permit alone, issued by the Nepalese government, costs 10 thousand dollars
Australia and Oceania - Mount Puncak Jaya, 4884 m
The highest peak of Australia and Oceania, which is located on the island of New Guinea. It is located on the Australian Plate and is the most high mountain in the world, located on an island.
The mountain was discovered in 1623 by Dutch explorer Jan Carstens, who saw a glacier on the summit from afar. Therefore, the mountain is sometimes called the Carstens Pyramid.
The first ascent of Puncak Jaya took place only in 1962. The name of the mountain roughly translates from Indonesian as “Victory Peak.”
These are the highest mountains in Antarctica. The existence of the mountain range became known only in 1957. Since the mountains were discovered by American aircraft, they were subsequently named Vinson Massif, in honor of the famous American politician Carl Vinson.
View of Vinson Massif from space:
It is the highest point in Africa, a huge dormant volcano with two well-defined peaks in northeastern Tanzania. The mountain has no documented eruptions, but local legends speak of volcanic activity 150-200 years ago.
The higher one is the peak of Kibo, an almost regular cone with powerful glaciation.
The name comes from the Swahili language and supposedly means "mountain that sparkles."
The snow cap that has covered the mountaintop for 11,000 years since the last Ice Age is rapidly melting. Over the past 100 years, the volume of snow and ice has decreased by more than 80%. It is believed that this is not caused by a change in temperature, but by a reduction in snowfall.
Africa's highest peak climbed for the first time German traveler Hans Meyer in 1889.
Everyone knows that the most high mountain- this is Everest. Can you name the second tallest? Or at least three more from the TOP 10 list? How many eight-thousanders in the world do you know? Answers under the cut...
No. 10. Annapurna I (Himalayas) - 8091 meters
Annapurna I is the highest peak of the Annapurna mountain range. The height of the mountain is 8091 meters. It ranks tenth among all the peaks of the world. This peak is also considered the most dangerous - the mortality rate of climbers for all years of climbing is 32%, but in the period from 1990 to the present, the mortality rate has decreased to 17%.
The name Annapurna is translated from Sanskrit as “Goddess of Fertility.”
The peak was first conquered in 1950 by French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal. Initially they wanted to conquer Dhaulagiri, but found it impregnable and went to Annapurna.
No. 9. Nanga Parbat (Himalayas) - 8125 meters.
Nanga Parbat is one of the most dangerous mountains to climb among the eight-thousander mountains. The height of the Nanga Parbat peak is 8125 meters.
Among the Europeans, the peak was first noticed in the 19th century by Adolf Schlagintveit during his trip to Asia and made the first sketches.
In 1895, the first attempt to conquer the peak was made by British climber Albert Frederick Mummery. But he died along with his guides.
Then several more attempts were made to conquer it in 1932, 1934, 1937, 1939, 1950. But the first successful conquest occurred in 1953, when Hermann Buhl, a member of the German-Austrian expedition led by K. Herligkoffer, climbed Nanga Parbat.
Nanga Parbat has a climber mortality rate of 21%.
No. 8. Manaslu (Himalayas) - 8156 meters.
Manaslu (Kutang) is a mountain that is part of the Mansiri Himal range in Nepal.
In 1950, Tilman made the first reconnaissance of the mountain and noted that it was possible to climb it from the northeast side. And only 34 years later, after several unsuccessful attempts to conquer the peak, on January 12, 1984, Polish climbers Ryszard Gajewski and Maciej Berbeka climbed the main peak of Manaslu for the first time, conquering it.
The mortality rate among climbers on Manaslu is 16%.
No. 7. Dhaulagiri I (Himalayas) - 8167 meters.
Dhaulagiri I is the highest point of the Dhaulagiri mountain range in the Himalayas. The height of the peak is 8167 meters.
From 1808 to 1832, Dhaulagiri I was considered the highest peak in the world. Climbers paid attention to it only in the 50s of the 20th century, and only the eighth expedition was able to conquer the peak. A team of the best climbers in Europe, led by Max Eiselin, conquered the peak on May 13, 1960.
In Sanskrit, dhavala or dala means “white” and giri means “mountain”.
No. 6. Cho Oyu (Himalayas) - 8201 meters.
Cho Oyu is the sixth highest mountain peak in the world. The height of Cho Oyu is 8201 m.
The first successful ascent was made in 1954 by an Austrian expedition, which included Herbert Tichy, Joseph Jächler and Pazang Dawa Lama. For the first time, an attempt was made to conquer such a peak without oxygen masks and cylinders, and it was a success. With its success, the expedition opened a new page in the history of mountaineering.
Today there are 15 different routes to the top of Cho Oyu.
No. 5. Makalu (Himalayas) - 8485 meters.
Makalu is the fifth highest peak in the world. Located in the central Himalayas, on the border of Nepal with China (Tibet Autonomous Region).
The first ascent attempts began in the mid-50s of the 20th century. This can be explained by the fact that most expeditions wanted to conquer Qomolungma and Lhotse, while Makalu and other lesser-known neighboring peaks remained in the shadows.
The first successful expedition occurred in 1955. French climbers led by Lionel Terray and Jean Cauzy conquered the peak on May 15, 1955.
Makalu is one of the most difficult peaks to climb. Less than 30% of expeditions are successful.
To date, there are 17 different routes to the top of Makalu.
No. 4. Lhotse (Himalayas) - 8516 meters.
Lhotse is the fourth highest peak in the world, at 8516 meters. Located on the territory of Tibet Autonomous Okrug.
The first successful ascent was made on May 18, 1956 by a Swiss expedition consisting of Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.
Of all attempts to climb Lhotse, only 25% were successful.
No. 3. Kanchenjunga (Himalayas) - 8586 meters.
Until 1852, Kanchenjunga was considered the highest peak in the world, but after calculations based on data from the 1849 expedition, it was proven that the highest mountain is Everest.
All peaks in the world tend to have a decreasing mortality rate over time, but Kangchenjunga is an exception. IN recent years The mortality rate when climbing to the top has reached 23% and is only growing. In Nepal, there is a legend that Kanchenjunga is a woman mountain that kills all women who try to climb to its peak.
No. 2. Chogori (Karakorum) - 8614 meters.
Chogori is the second highest peak in the world. Chogori was first discovered by a European expedition in 1856 and was designated Mount K2, that is, the second peak of the Karakoram.
The first attempt to climb was made in 1902 by Oscar Eckenstein and Aleister Crowley, but ended in failure.
The summit was conquered in 1954 by an Italian expedition led by Ardito Desio.
To date, 10 different routes have been laid to the top of K2.
Climbing Chogori is technically much more difficult than climbing Everest. In terms of danger, the mountain ranks second among eight-thousanders after Annapurna, the mortality rate is 24%. None of the attempts to climb Chogori in winter were successful.
No. 1. Chomolungma (Himalayas) - 8848 meters.
Chomolungma (Everest) is the highest peak on Earth.
Translated from Tibetan “Chomolungma” - “Divine (jomo) Mother (ma) vital energy(lung)". The mountain is named after the Bon goddess Sherab Jamma.
The English name "Everest" was given in honor of Sir George Everest, the head of the geodetic survey British India in 1830-1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor Andrew Waugh after the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanath Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it was the highest in the region and, probably, in the whole world.
Before the first successful ascent to the summit, which took place in 1953, about 50 expeditions were carried out to the Himalayas and Karakoram (to Chomolungma, Chogori, Kanchenjunga, Nanga Parbat and other peaks).
On May 29, 1953, Everest was conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
In subsequent years, climbers conquered the highest peak in the world different countries world - USSR, China, USA, India, Japan, and other countries.
Over the entire period of time, more than 260 people died while attempting to climb Everest. Nevertheless, more than 400 people try to conquer Chomolungma every year.
The answer to the question about eight-thousanders is that there are 14 of them in the world, 10 of them are in the Himalayas, and the remaining 4 are in the Karakoram.
Mountains are not just part of the relief, they participate in the cycle fresh water, largely determine the weather and are a powerful recreational resource. Climbers travel all over the world, hoping to conquer the most dangerous peaks where they can see incredibly beautiful landscapes. Next, the reader is presented with highest mountains in the world— top 10 list.
10. Jaya (4,884 m)
The ranking of the highest mountains in the world opens with “Jaya”, which means “Victory” in Indonesian. The mountain is located in Indonesia and is part of the Maoke mountain system. Its peak, the Carstens Pyramid, is 4,884 m above sea level. This is the highest point in Oceania.
The Carstens Pyramid was first conquered in 1962 by a group of Austrian climbers. Technically, the mountain is difficult, since its peak has steep slopes, but the mild climate does not cause problems. Permission to climb must be obtained from local tribes, who are not always friendly.
9. Vinson Massif (4,892 m)
The parade of the highest mountain peaks on the planet continues with the Vinson Massif, named after the American politician Carl Vinson. The massif is located in Antarctica in the Ellsworth system. Vinson was discovered by accident: in 1957, it was seen by the pilots of an American airliner flying over the mainland in clear weather. Vinson's elevation is 4,892 m, which is the highest point in Antarctica.
The first ascent dates back to 1966. Climbers rate Vinson's summit as moderate in technical difficulty. The ascent is hampered by frequent bad weather and low temperatures on the mainland. The price of a tourist tour with climbing the massif reaches 40 thousand US dollars.
8. Orizaba (5,636 m)
Volcano Orizaba, 5,636 meters above sea level, is the highest point in Mexico and the third peak in the Americas. Located in the Cordillera mountain system. The local name of the volcano is “Citlaltepetl”, which means “Hill of the Star” in Aztec. The volcano is considered active, but the last eruption was recorded in 1846.
The first ascent of Orizaba dates back to 1848. On at the moment climbers consider this mountain range quite simple. It is used as a training peak for beginning climbers. The price of the excursion is about 3 thousand US dollars.
7. Elbrus (5,642 m)
Elbrus ranks seventh among the highest mountains in the world. The peak of the mountain is located 5,642 m above sea level, which is the highest point in Europe and Russia. The etymology of the name is unknown; among the peoples of the Caucasus, the mountain is called differently.
Elbrus is a stratovolcano located in the Caucasus Mountains system between Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. The volcano is considered active, but the last eruption was more than 5,000 years ago; according to scientists, the activity of Elbrus is gradually increasing.
Elbrus is the main recreational resource of the Caucasus. The first conquest of the peak took place in 1829. At the moment, the infrastructure is well developed, large number hotels, tourist camps, the friendliness of the local population and affordable prices make Elbrus the most popular of the seven peaks.
6. Cristobal Colon (5,776 m)
Cristobal Colon means Christopher Columbus in Spanish, and the mountain is named after him.
Peak Cristobal Colon is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range in northern Colombia. Its summit is located at 5,776 m above sea level, which is the highest point in Colombia.
From a mountaineering point of view, Cristobal is a technically simple mountain and is not of particular interest for expeditions. It can be climbed as part of tourist groups. The bulk of hotels and camps for tourists are located near the city of Santa Marta in the northwest of the ridge.
5. Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano located in northeastern Tanzania. Uhuru Peak of the Kibo volcano is located at an altitude of 5,895 m above sea level, it is the highest point of the African continent.
Kilimanjaro - active volcano, however, there is no documented evidence that it ever erupted.
The first summit of Kilimanjaro took place in 1889. Climbers consider Uhuru Peak to be technically easy; the ascent can be accomplished without special training and climbing equipment. Climatic changes pose a great difficulty due to the proximity of the volcano to the equator.
4. Mount Logan (5,959 m)
The mountain is named after William Logan, a geologist from Canada. Located in southwest Yukon. Its peak is 5,959 m above sea level - this highest mountain Canada and the second highest in North America.
Mount Logan was conquered in 1925. Climbing to the top is difficult due to the low temperature; at the peak the air rarely warms up above 45 degrees. Climbers regard the mountain as difficult, requiring special training and equipment.
3. Denali (6,190 m)
Denali opens the top three highest mountains in the world. The mountain received a new name in 2015; before that time, since 1896, it was called McKinley.
Denali is located in south-central Alaska and is part of the Alaska Range. At 6,190 m above sea level, Denali is the highest peak in North America.
The first conquest dates back to 1913 by the expedition of Reverend Hudson Stack. At the moment, hiking trails are open, along which there are special ski lifts, shuttle buses, hotels and tourist camps. Tours are conducted by six American companies. Over the entire history of the conquest of Denali, more than 100 climbers have died.
2. Aconcagua (6,962 m)
Aconcagua is the highest point in South America, with an altitude of 6,962 m. The mountain is located in the center of the Andes, the Main Cordillera ridge, located between Argentina and Chile. Aconcagua itself is located in Argentina.
Aconcagua is a place of contrasts. Climbers consider the northern and eastern slopes to be technically easy, while the southern and southwestern slopes are considered very difficult. The main difficulty is the low partial pressure of atmospheric air, which is solved with the help of oxygen masks. The ascent begins in the city of Mendoza, the path to the top lies through 8 intermediate points.
1. Everest (8,848 m)
Everest (or Chomolungma) is located in the Himalaya mountain range, the Mahalangur Himal range, located between China and Nepal. The northern point of Everest is located at 8,848 m above sea level and is the highest on Earth.
The first conquest of the eight-thousander occurred in 1953, since then more than 4,000 people have visited Everest, about 260 of them died. Every year about 500 people conquer the peak; ascents take place from late spring to early autumn. The cost of the climb reaches 64 thousand US dollars.
