The highest point on Earth got a bit higher as China and Nepal finally agreed on a precise elevation for Mount Everest after decades of debate. Let's take a look.
Why the discrepancy?
This was owing to China measuring the rock base on the summit and not - as with the new reading - the covering of snow and ice on the peak.
Use of Trigonometry
In 1856 British colonial geographers first determined Everest's height at 8,840 metres above sea level by employing trigonometry hundreds of kilometres away on the Indian plains.
Readjustment
On 29 May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest. After the successful climb, an Indian survey readjusted the altitude to 8,848 metres. That measurement was widely accepted, with the number alluring to adventure seekers.
Nat Geo has a different number
In 1999, the US National Geographic Society concluded the world's highest point was higher at 8,850 metres. However, Nepal never officially recognised this new height, although it is widely quoted.
China's numbers vs Nepal's
China, meanwhile, conducted several surveys. In 2005, it came up with its measurement of 8,844.43 metres. This provoked a row with Nepal which was only resolved in 2010 when Kathmandu and Beijing agreed that their measurements referred to different things - one to the height of Everest's rock and the other to the height of its snow cap.
New calculations
Nepalese experts and surveyors were involved in the exercise, some walking on foot with others using helicopters to reach data collection stations. Last spring, Nepalese surveyors reached the summit of Everest with over 40 kg of equipment, including a Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS) receiver. Nepal was due to release the results earlier this year but then China became involved, after a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Oct 2019.
Earthquake Impact
Nepal decided to conduct the survey - the first time it has done its own - after suggestions that tectonic plate movements including a major earthquake in 2015 may have affected the height.
Average
Dang Yamin, an expert at the National Bureau of Surveying and Mapping, told Chinese State Broadcaster CCTV that the final result was an average value between the measurements by Nepal and China, in accordance with scientific rules.
Geopolitics at play
For China, the announcement appeared to be as much about politics as geography. China has drawn Nepal ever closer into its orbit with investments in its economy and the building of highways, dams, airports and other infrastructure in the mountain nation.
Everest's other names
In Tibetan language, Mount Everest is known as Mount Qomolangma. In Nepal, the world's tallest peak is called Sagarmatha.
Why is it named Everest?
Andrew Waugh, British Surveyor General of India, recommended the name of George Everest, his predecessor in the post, in 1865, which was accepted.
So, what is the new height?
8,848.86 metres.
* The agreed height unveiled at a joint news conference in Kathmandu * This is 86 mteres higher than the measurement previously recognised by Nepal * This is also more than 4 metres above China's official figure.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 5, the chores and we were off to the polling booth at the nearby Little Flower College by a 10' to 7. We'd driven down because there was a bit of a walk, within the campus, which I'd wanted Lekha to avoid. Our neighbours chose to walk.
The whole process took about 40 mts and then I'd the Chevy's tyre pressure checked but trying to update the PUC turned out to be futile. The machine misbehaved in the place nearest to our house and the remaining two were closed on account of the elections!
Suma came in after lunch and completed the cleanship well before sunset. Mini, Ammu and Mithun were at Perundurai (Achu's old place of work) at sunset. They had started from Bangalore by about 1400 hrs. They reached us by about a half past 11. Phew! Mini will accompany me to Pulinkunnu Sub Registrar's Office tomorrow morning at 0400 hrs.
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