MOUNT Everest is now 34 inches TALLER – making the world’s tallest peak more fearsome than ever.
New surveys have revealed that the rocky titan stands at a staggering 29,032 feet.
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That’s around 26 times higher than Europe’s tallest building, The Shard in London.
Previously, China said that Mount Everest stood at 29,017 feet.
And Nepal had the mountain at a slightly loftier 29,028 feet.
Now both countries have finally agreed on the new figure, based on the most thorough survey of Mount Everest yet.
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The earlier difference came from measuring the summit’s rocky top versus the permanent snow and ice on the peak.
China and Nepal both border Mount Everest, so they share an interest in measuring it accurately.
“The respect and pride of all Nepalis has risen along with this increase in the height,” said Padma Kumari Aral, Nepal’s Minister for Land Management, as quoted by the WSJ.
Mount Everest often changes height in a very small way, by a fraction of an inch year.
But some of this gained height can disappear – after earthquakes, for instance.
The first proper measurement of Mount Everest took place in 1856.
British geographers used trigonometry to calculate the height from hundreds of miles away, giving a total of 29,028 feet.
A much later survey by the US National Geographic Society put it at 29,035 feet, but this wasn’t official recognised by Nepal.
China’s 2005 survey mapped the peak at 29,015 feet, a height that was also disputed by Nepal.
Mount Everest – the key facts
Here’s what you need to know…
- Mount Everest is Earth’s highest mountain
- It stands at 29,032 feet in the Himalayan mountain range
- The name was chosen in 1865 by British surveyor Andrew Waugh, whose predecessor was named Sir George Everest
- Mount Everest is famous as a climbing destination, with two popular routes attracting thousands of adventurers
- At least 300 people have died on Everest, with many bodies remaining on the mountain
- The first official ascent of Everest was achieved by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953
- Mount Everest borders both Nepal and China
Then last year, 300 Nepali experts set out to survey the summit – including a trek to the top of the peak.
Dozens of climbers spent two hours atop the mountain collecting data – an extremely dangerous task.
One official named Him Lal Gautam lost a toe to frostbite during the expedition, according to AFP.
Chinese officials separately worked on the summit earlier this year, ultimately agreeing with the Nepali figure.
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In other news, there may be an enormous mountain range buried below ground.
Sci-fi cliff-cities could be built on Mars to house interplanetary adventurers of the future.
And, Nasa recently revealed a surreal photo of Earth taken from 4billion miles away.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
