Is Mauna Kea really the tallest mountain on Earth? If it is how tall it is?

Answer 1

Yes. Mauna Loa, which is what I think you mean, is a large shield volcano in the Hawaiian islands. It stretches from the sea floor to the ocean's surface almost 57,000 feet. Compared to Mt. Everest's (which is the tallest mountain completely above water) approximate 30,000 feet, Mauna Loa is much taller.

Answer 2

It depends on how it is measured. Everest is the tallest if measured above sea level, Mauna Kea is tallest if measured from the bottom of the ocean at 5.6 miles.

Answer 3

The point is that you could measure Everest from the Ocean floor also.

Everest also is not the highest peak, if you want to be pedantic.

It is actually only about 14,000 feet above the Tibetan plateau. I think Mt McKinley is the tallest peak - I will have to check that up, but I think its base is only about 2000 feet above sea level, so it make the peak about 18,000 feet.

But in the end, it is all about height above sea level, or how near you are to the stratosphere - Everest wins on both counts.

You do not need oxygen to climb Mauna Loa (unless you have emphasema).

Answer 4

You measure a mountain from its base to its peak, there is no other measure. If I stand on a ladder I can boost my height above that of Manute Bol, that does not make me taller than he is. Poor little Mount Everest has the Tibetan Plateau upon which to boost its elevation. Mauna Loa raises its head almost 14,000 feet above sea level, in addition to the 18,000 from the abyssal plain upon which it stands, making it the tallest mountain on Earth.

Answer 5

I would go with Mt Everest but would say it is the highest. Mauna Loa is formed from multiple lava flows. If you measure from the Sea Floor, then why couldn't you argue that other mountains from the Himalaya for example could also be meaured from the bottom of the sea. It really isn't comparing apples to apples.

Answer 6

I thought Mount Everett was?

Answer 7

No. Mt Everest is.