Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
Facts about Mount Everest
1. Everest is a massive 8848 meters tall – just below the cruising height of a jumbo jet!
The mighty Mount Everest was first measured in 1856 at 8840m tall. The height was then adjusted to 8848m in 1955, which is still the official height stated by the Nepalese government. However, there is a discrepancy as the Chinese declare the height of Mount Everest as 8844m.
Scientists are currently in the process of remeasuring the world’s tallest mountain, especially as it is thought the height might have changed following the 2015 earthquake. This work should be completed by 2020.
2. Everest is over 60 million years old.
The mountain was formed when India’s continental plate crashed into Asia. India’s plate pushed under Asia and raised a huge mass of land upwards, creating the world’s highest mountain rage; the spectacular Himalayas.
3. Mount Everest grows approximately 44 millimetres every year.
This occurs because of the continuous shift of tectonic plates, pushing the Himalayas upwards
4. Mount Everest isn’t actually the tallest mountain on the planet.
This title is owned by Mauna Kea, which is a massive 10,200 meters tall. However, the majority of Mauna Kea resides below sea level. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, above sea level.
5. We are pronouncing Mount Everest incorrectly.
Everest was first recognised by the western world in 1841 by Sir George Everest and was called Peak 15. The name Mount Everest was then introduced in 1865, in honour of Sir George Everest, and therefore should be pronounced ‘Eve-rest’ not ‘Ever-est’ – as per the pronunciation of the British surveyor’s surname.
Everest was originally named Sagarmatha by the Nepalese, meaning ‘Goddess of the Sky’. Whilst the Tibetans call it Chomolungma, meaning ‘Goddess Mother of Mountains’. The peak is a sacred place, and requires all mountaineers to ask for permission and safe passage before attempting to summit. This is called the puja ceremony, taking place at Everest Base Camp prior to setting foot on the mountain.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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