Tallest Island in the World: Why Hawaii's Big Island Beats Mount Everest in Total Height
In geography, there is a big difference between how we measure the height of a mountain. "Highest" means how far a peak rises above the level of the sea. By this rule, Mount Everest wins easily. However, "tallest" measures a mountain from its absolute bottom base to its very top peak. When you use this rule, the massive volcanic peaks on the Big Island of Hawaii easily beat every other mountain on the planet, making it the most vertically massive island in the world.
The base of the Big Island sits in a deep trench on the Pacific Ocean floor, thousands of feet underwater. This means the vast majority of the island's actual physical body is hidden completely out of sight from tourists on cruise ships or beaches.
2.Mauna Kea's Absolute Height:The True Giant.
The island's dormant volcano, Mauna Kea , rises 13,796 feet above sea level. However, when you add the 19,700 feet that are submerged underwater, its total height from base to peak is over 33,500 feet. This makes it significantly taller than Mount Everest's 29,031 feet.
Why Hawaii's Big Island Wins the Record
1.Rising from the Ocean Floor:The Hidden Base.The base of the Big Island sits in a deep trench on the Pacific Ocean floor, thousands of feet underwater. This means the vast majority of the island's actual physical body is hidden completely out of sight from tourists on cruise ships or beaches.
2.Mauna Kea's Absolute Height:The True Giant.
The island's dormant volcano, Mauna Kea , rises 13,796 feet above sea level. However, when you add the 19,700 feet that are submerged underwater, its total height from base to peak is over 33,500 feet. This makes it significantly taller than Mount Everest's 29,031 feet.
Next Story