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Sibylle Hechtel:
The methods used to calculate Mount Everest's height have evolved over time, ranging from basic geometry in earlier times to modern GPS technology. A story in The New York Times, titled “How Tall Is Mount Everest? For Nepal, It’s a Touchy Question,” explores the ongoing debate over varying height measurements and a planned expedition to take the measurement from the peak itself.
Height estimates for Mount Everest differ. As per The New York Times article:
“Mount Everest’s height is generally acknowledged to be 29,029 feet. However, teams from around the globe, including China, Denmark, Italy, India, and the United States, have produced alternative measurements, sometimes slightly higher or lower than this standard. In 1992, Italy revised the height downwards by seven feet, setting it at 29,022 feet. Then in 1999, American scientists recorded a slightly higher peak at 29,035 feet.”
Additionally, the mountain’s height can vary. As mentioned in The New York Times:
"Roger Bilham, a geologist from the University of Colorado Boulder, noted that Everest’s position in the compression zone between southern Tibet and India causes it to sink during earthquakes and rise during the quiet periods between them. A significant earthquake in 1934 lowered the mountain by 63 centimeters, or about two feet, based on data from Mr. Bilham."
In the 19th century, Everest’s height was calculated by measuring the angles between the summit and specific reference points on the ground, whose elevations relative to the average sea level were already established.
Today, surveyors position a global positioning system receiver on the summit ice for one hour, and then calculate the mountain’s height relative to the sea level using satellites and gravity measurements taken at the base.
In preparation for Nepal’s own expedition, surveyors will take measurements this month along the southern plains of the country, where they intend to determine the sea level. A team of Sherpas is also being trained to carry a GPS receiver to the summit. The estimated cost of measuring the mountain is $250,000.”
This article originally appeared on Quora. Click here to view.
