height of mountains

The quest of measurement began in the 19th century, when Andrew Waugh initiated the measurement of Mount Everest at 29,029 feet

[{"selector":"#anim-477e4a2d-2e2c-4b73-b57e-c93d6fc6527b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.39304077669082%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5700596-e83a-4db8-a176-b15871ad3d8b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a148ac20-ea69-4372-972d-0a8a220d163d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Waugh's team used triangulation technique & calculated angles & distances of Everest from different points, a method still employed today

[{"selector":"#anim-143fc25e-ac4d-41f8-81d3-f25cdb1fe6ae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-45.31979861009684%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e43fd7b3-9ca1-42a6-88e9-4c2f75ed9201","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e6c2820-4570-4dca-8adc-af4ada1361f4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Despite obstacles, their calculations were remarkably accurate, setting a precedent for mountain height measurement

[{"selector":"#anim-c5e8c5b9-460b-408f-b0a9-f61dfb4e1f17 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(36.44582615481708%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0052c2c9-8a91-479c-b5a6-1a43683bf18e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9aff5e2b-47f0-4510-86a9-a6e6bce2694c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

In the contemporary era, satellites enhance basic trigonometry, precisely determining location through radio signals

[{"selector":"#anim-70dceaa8-019b-4012-b2cd-210656e87e6a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.69802344417466%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bba1b986-c75e-4cb5-97c5-fa524ee548e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5bfbdf41-39ba-469b-a45d-b7a67587a8cb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Satellites calculate coordinates of Earth’s point, with lightning speed, revolutionizing the accuracy of mountain height measurements

[{"selector":"#anim-01b3f8a6-9a5c-4ae6-9c55-c5acb9d8254c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.90975178948469%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d799869-64dd-4291-bcc6-426b4f800376","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.50632%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-30907d2f-77d3-436e-b973-42f37826a013","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-259bcb94-039f-404b-b54f-8b3e15deb794","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Speed of light for radio signals and satellite position are some of the critical elements in modern height determination

[{"selector":"#anim-0afc5583-8b79-4fad-a299-639289eee780 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.56075746909588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8c055d55-5d3c-4576-bddc-d6b2ed0c683c","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -541.30838%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -152.21591645600003%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -51.74908112800001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -19.432970842000003%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -8.444410728000001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}]

Today's geographers, guided by the US, uses the absence of winds and tides, and mathematical powers to ensure accurate mountain height calculation

[{"selector":"#anim-d42ee37e-eead-430d-8c4c-ba112b71e2d2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.65177311184466%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2eb96cce-11a3-4d20-8966-08a6ecbfdbd1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Geographers visualize a sea-free Earth, forming an irregular spheroid known as geoid, this act as the baseline for mountain height measurements

[{"selector":"#anim-1a987ebe-703a-4691-9c15-5f09d3969753 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.192788732578144%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61c61075-d0a6-4d46-a0b0-ec85d6afc6cc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ad99d53-5c48-48db-ae4a-f39762ec6909","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 137.24666%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Even after using Gravimeters, complex equations, and GPS systems, it is difficult to ascertain the exact height of Mount Everest

[{"selector":"#anim-a2d10ca9-9ce8-4f14-8806-2bd65ede6d40 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.575440220050666%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a36aec89-8b8f-4ef2-84ef-a870e008e50b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-065ab477-30cc-42b0-95b1-47c91675f9ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cefa96ce-feae-4669-a7d1-ea24a7a6ae44","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

Other stories

[{"selector":"#anim-30a510ce-7630-4193-80d6-000295487aba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6b48085-1e31-4b7a-a5ea-a9d2160364a7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-140.00002%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8268ea28-add5-4c94-97f4-559039e2426f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a69fee12-b04a-4c8f-8e1f-ff268f2a1d55","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-142.73503%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af18f351-7d42-4ad5-828b-41f5c61869c2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2d660c4-fd40-4ba8-b138-aa1f5bddcc79","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(157.50003%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5b4317e-5f7f-40cb-86d8-20f09acde3c6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c2a21569-015d-4b47-b886-69227f58f8e1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-761355c5-a07d-4a33-bee3-c1917a590a13","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1ec6a49-83df-4482-a9f0-7baa619e384e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a795144c-10a0-4e90-8ffc-b13496fe0d0d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-293.33336%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f53a0265-b316-4d24-bd3d-fa8715c87d11","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5313750-7cb7-4fb7-9db0-5be5c1026b5e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-480a1744-032d-4714-b77a-86cfd472e7f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cbb476a2-415b-496e-8b39-3036172682a5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5108469-10b7-4896-b5ca-8d8ea598ceae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-282.11381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-33d330d9-1336-47ec-89b0-4a3bb0e6f1e3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36fee3d7-6322-4d40-9232-ef7797d12d68","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-147.86729%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] See More See More Read Next Story

height of mountains

Know how

are calculated?