The relief surface of North America can be roughly divided into several regions. The northern and central parts of the continent are occupied by plains. But in the west and southeast there are mountains. There are many beautiful and scenic spots... High mountain ranges annually gather thousands of tourists. Mountaineering is developed here. No less popular are the slopes where you can snowboard and ski almost all year round. So what are they, the mountains of the North American continent? How are they unique and where are they located?
Cordillera
The Cordillera are the largest rocky mountains in length. North America is famous for its snow-capped peaks. The highest of them are located in this mountain system. The Cordillera stretch along the western edge of the mainland, from Alaska to the central part. Then they move to the Andes, which cover the southern mainland. This mountain range is crossed by many faults. They start from the ocean itself and end on land. The Cordillera were formed as a result of the convergence of two lithospheric plates. But, according to seismologists, the mountain building process is not yet fully completed. This is also evidenced by the presence of several active volcanoes, even more of them are "sleeping". Earthquakes are not uncommon in this zone. If we talk about the height of these mountains, then, perhaps, only the Himalayas can compete with them. The highest point in North America, Mount McKinley, is also in the Cordillera. Its height is 6193 meters. What else is remarkable about the Cordillera? They lie in all geographic zones, except perhaps the arctic. In addition, they are characterized by a wide variety of landscapes, as well as a pronounced altitudinal zonation. These mountains are not like others, they are unique. The beauty of the Cordillera annually attracts thousands of tourists to its slopes, who make multi-day, sometimes difficult climbs. In addition, numerous hotels have been built along their entire length, which will warmly welcome all holidaymakers.
Appalachian
The mountains and plains of North America create a unique landscape of the continent. Particularly beautiful is the place where two states border - the USA and Canada. Here is the hilly highlands of the Appalachian Mountains. Its length is 2600 km. In this mountain system, there are some noteworthy peaks. The highest of them is Mount Washington (1916 m). The Appalachians have traces of ancient glaciation. The slopes of these hills are covered with mixed and coniferous forests. There are deposits of iron ore, oil, gas and coal.
Northern appalachians
The Appalachians are mountains in North America, they are divided into two parts: north and south. Of course, these boundaries are conditional. The Northern Appalachians are much older than the main mountain range. At present, they represent a plateau with a height of only 400-600 meters. Separate ridges and massifs rise above it in places. The most famous of them are the Adirondack, White Mountains, Green Mountains. Their tops are smoothed. The slopes are mostly gentle, only occasionally there are areas dissected by kars. Mountain ranges are separated by tectonic valleys. They are converted to trogs. The northern Appalachians have a different name for the local population - "the mountains of New England". They are composed of metamorphic and crystalline rocks. These are areas of peneplained mountains, in which there are subtle traces of later uplifts. But at the same time, the effect of glaciation is clearly expressed.
Southern appalachians
Mountains in North America, such as the South Appalachians, arose somewhat later than others. This happened around the era of the Variscian folding. Their relief is more varied. In the east - the Piedmont foothill plateau. It is even, slightly dissected by valleys. Its height is 40-80 meters. In the western part there is more hilly terrain. Here the height reaches 400 meters. But more interestingly, massive peaks rise sharply in this region. This is the Blue Ridge. Its slopes are steep. The tops are often domed or ridge-like. The most high point- Mount Mitchell. Its height is 2037 meters. It is composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks belonging to the Lower and Middle Paleozoic. The western slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains falls steeply to the lowering of the Great Valley. The Appalachian Plateau stretches here. The mountains are heavily divided by valleys dropping down to 1500 meters.
Sierra nevada
Of course, the most famous mountains in North America are the Sierra Nevada. Probably everyone has heard this at least once in their life. beautiful name... True, not everyone knows that we are talking about a ridge stretching for west coast United States of America. Its length is 750 kilometers. The Sierra Nevada Ridge originates from the Fredonier Pass in the north and reaches the Tehachapi Pass in the south. In the west, it is bordered by the California Valley. To the east, the Sierra Nevada borders the Great Basin. Of course, the highest mountains in North America are not located in this area, but those that rise here can rightfully be called the most picturesque. The ridge runs along the slope from the western side. All rivers, the sources of which are located on the peaks, flow into the Pacific Ocean. The height of the mountains gradually increases from north to south. Between Lake Tahoe and the Fredonnier Pass, the peaks reach 2,400 meters. The highest point on this section of the ridge is Mount Rose. Its height is 2700 meters. On the territory of Yosemite National Park there are Olancha Peak (3695 m) and Florence (3781 m). Further, the height of the ridge goes down. The beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can hardly be overestimated. They are known all over the world for their unique landscapes.
Eastern Sierra Madre
The highest mountains in North America are found in the Cordillera. But the unique ridges, located parallel to each other, can be found in the territory of modern Mexico, in the north-east of the country. it Eastern Sierra Madre. This mountain system is located on the edge of the Mexican Highlands. The length of the ridge is 1000 km. Its landscape is quite varied. In the north, there are several peaks, ranging in height from 1000 to 3000 m. In the south, the mountain ranges are scattered from each other. There are individual peaks up to 4000 m in height. In the western part, spurs extend to the highland in several places. To the east, the ridge ends in a coastal plain Gulf of Mexico. For the most part The eastern Sierra Madre is formed by sedimentary rocks dating back to the Upper Mesozoic period. The highest mark of the ridge is Mount Peña Nevada (4054 m). But it is not single peak worth mentioning. The mountains El Coahuilon and Cerro Potosi are no less famous.
Western sierra madre
These mountains in America are considered to be a continuation of the Cordillera. They are located in what is now Mexico. The length of the western Sierra Madre is 1,300 km. The width of this ridge is from 80 to 200 km. It is located in the western part of the Mexican Highlands. The landscape of these places is not monotonous. The ridges are separated by canyons of different depths. The mountains are relatively low: from 1500 to 2000 m. But there are individual peaks reaching 3000 km. For example, the most popular mountain in this region is Chorreras. Its height is 3150 m. The Western Sierra Madre passes through several Mexican states: Sonora, Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Durango, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes. But this ridge begins southeast of Tucson, in American Arizona.
Sierra Madre South
The South Sierra Madre are ancient mountains in America. Their age is difficult to determine. But, despite this, it has been proven that they were formed much earlier than the rest of the mountain systems. Located in the south of Mexico, this ridge is 1000 km long. It runs along coastline The Pacific... South Sierra Madre begins in the state of Michoacan. Then it goes towards the Tehuantepec isthmus. It crosses Mexican states such as Guerrero and Oaxaca, where it merges with the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The width of the South Sierra Madre is 300 km. These mountains are not high, only some of the peaks reach heights above 3000 m. But, despite this, this region is a major obstacle to transport links between the interior of Mexico and the Pacific coast. The highest point in the South Sierra Madre is Mount Teotepec (3703 m).
Coastal ridge
The coastal range is the mountains of North America, on the map they can be found in the very west of the mainland. They originate from Lake Atlin. Conventionally, they end near the Fraser River. In fact, the Coast Range is part of the Cordillera mountain range. But it is customary to separate it into an independent massif due to its location and some isolation. The length of the ridge is 1600 km. Its width reaches 300 m. The highest mark is Mount Waddington. Its height is 4016 meters. The rest of the peaks do not exceed 3000 meters. This mountain range is made of granite. It is strongly dissected by fjords and transverse valleys that have arisen along tectonic cracks. Garibaldi Provincial Park is located on the territory of the Coastal Range. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in British Columbia.
Wrangel mountains
The high mountains of North America, located in the southeast of Alaska, can rightfully be called unique. The Wrangel volcanic massif has a length of 150 kilometers. In the east, it adjoins the ridge of St. Elijah. The Wrangel Mountains were formed relatively recently, in the Neogene. Once concentrated here active volcanoes... Almost all of them are asleep. But there are also active ones, for example, the Wrangel volcano. It has a height of 4317 meters. Among the mountains with a crater summit, the most famous are Sanford (4949 m) and the highest point of the Wrangel ridge - Blackburn Peak (4996 m). In the central part mountain range concentrated glaciers. The slopes are covered with tundra forests. On the ridges of Wrangel and St. Elijah is located national park... Many places here are absolutely untouched by humans. This makes this region truly unique and unrepeatable.
The process of formation of mountains on Earth has been going on for millions of years and will never stop. Mountains arise from the collision of giant tectonic plates that underlie the entire earth's crust. In this article, we will take a look at the highest mountains in America and in general on the American continent.
Denali - 6190 meters
It is unquestionably the highest mountain in North America. It is located in the southern part of the center of Alaska, in Denali County, and has two peaks, and a national park of the same name is formed around it. Until recently (until 2015) the peak was named McKinley, after the name of one of the American presidents. And in those days when Alaska belonged to the Russian Empire, the peak was simply called - Big mountain... It was placed on the map of Russian Alaska Russian traveler Wrangel in 1839. The summit was the highest point among the entire Russian Empire until the moment of sale in 1867. The name "Denali" in translation from the Indian dialect means "great".
By its structure, the mountain is a large block of granite, which began to gradually protrude from the surface of the earth about 6 million years ago as a result of the activity of tectonic plates. The top of the mountain is almost always covered with a dense layer of snow, which, when melting, saturates the nearest numerous glaciers. This is most pronounced on the southern slope. Many of the glaciers at the top of the mountain are 50 kilometers long. It is extremely cold in the mountains, down to -60 ° C. Taking into account the wind, the temperature can drop down to -80 ° C. In such cold weather, a person can instantly freeze to death. The temperature is recorded by an automated meteorological station.
In 2014, a native of Catalonia, Jornet Burghada showed a record result in the speed of ascent - 11 hours and 40 minutes
More than four hundred thousand people visit Denali and its national park every year, mainly between May and September. 32 thousand people are trying to conquer the summit, about half of them achieve success in this. The Denali expedition is extremely difficult, so it is highly recommended to hire a professional guide. Additional difficulties can be brought by acclimatization to cold and altitude. Due to its distant location in the north (63 degrees latitude), Denali has a lower atmospheric pressure than most other mountains.
Like all notable peaks, Denali has always been an attractive destination for climbers. For more than two centuries there was a debate about who first conquered it, history keeps many falsified results. On this moment it is believed to have conquered Mount Hudson Stack in 1913.
Robson - 3960 meters
This mountain is the highest point of the Rocky Mountain Range as well as the Canadian Rockies. Robson National Park, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, lies at the foot of the site. It is incorrectly considered by many to be the highest peak in the province (in fact, this title belongs to Ferweather Peak). The mountain is distinguished by very unusual features of the relief: it has a vertical structure and stands out from the surrounding area. In 2.3 kilometers from it there is a beautiful turquoise lake Berg on the river of the same name. Glacial waters flow from the top into it, from which icebergs are formed there even in the summer season.
A large number of tourists beckons extraordinary beauty Robson mountains and lakes at its foot
The northern slope of the mountain is covered big amount snow, and the thickness of the ice layer is 0.8 kilometers. And the southern slope, 3 kilometers long, is clearly visible from the Yellowhead Highway. The summit has a very low number of successful ascents, only ten percent of all planned expeditions were successful. This is due to the bad climatic conditions and the lack of easy routes to the top.
Around the mountain is the national park of the same name - a huge provincial park in the Canadian rocky mountains. Its area is 2250 km². The park is entirely located in British Columbia and borders Jasper National Park in Alberta. The park was officially established in 1913, and the first ascent to the mountain took place in the same year.
The very first hiking trails in the park also began to be built in 1913.
From May to September park tourist centre open to the public from a stop at Yellowhead Station. The only commercial service in the park is a coffee shop and gas station combination. There are two government campgrounds, one next to the Visitor Center and the other off Yellowhead Walkway.
The park encompasses Mount Robson and the Yellowhead Highway and is 390 kilometers west of Edmonton and 290 kilometers east of Prince George. The source of the Fraser River is located in the mountain in the park. The source west of the central pond is actually the source of the largest river in British Columbia. It is located in Camping Lucerne. There are no trails, but you can get there by helicopter from Valmont.
Whitney - 4420 meters
Highest point in the Sierra Nevada Range in California. On the western side, the foot of the mountain goes into the Sequoia National Park, known for its huge ancient representatives of the sequoia genus. The name of the mountain was given by the American geologist Josiah Whitney. In turn, in honor of the summit, one of the ships of the US naval forces, USS Mount Whitney, was named.
The mountain is quite popular with tourists. As a rule, they climb it along a trail starting at an altitude of 2.5 kilometers in the village of Whitney Portal. The trail is over 35 km long. There are so many people who want to climb that access is strictly limited for almost half a year. Throughout the entire ascent, there are opportunities for stopping for the night, but it is not always possible to pitch a tent, so tourists are mainly grouped in two large campgrounds: in the forest near the waterfall and on a slope blown by the wind. The last of the sources is also at the top. drinking water.
On the slopes of the mountain, you can often meet bears, so every traveler must have a special container with him that is inaccessible to these animals, it is also advisable to get a whistle and a bright flashlight to scare off.
There are severe winters with a lot of snow, then the trail becomes difficult to pass. It is best to ask knowledgeable people in advance about the conditions above.
Climbing the summit of Mount Whitney takes 2 to 4 days
Williamson - 4380 meters
The second highest mountain in California and in the Sierra Nevada ridge. The majestic Williamson is much less accessible to climb than its neighbor Whitney, and therefore less popular. The standard climbing route starts from the Shepard Pass and passes through the valley, where there are five high-mountain lakes. From the valley, the route goes west facing a wide plateau.
There are other routes, technically more difficult, including the northern edge of the mountain. Climbing Williamson is always difficult and stressful. On the way, you can meet sheep, which were driven there by snowfalls from summer pastures. There is also a sheep zoological park open to the public all year round.
The summit is located in a secluded area of the Inyo National Forest
White Mountain Peak - 4345 meters
The mountain is the third highest in the state of California and the highest in Mono County. It is the most prominent of the fourteen major peaks in the United States. At the foot of the mountain, there is a research center of the same name, which contains three research stations. In particular, they study the effect of altitude on the human body.
The ascent to the summit is carried out along a winding dirt path to the highest station, cleared of snow from the end of June to November. Access for tourists is limited by locked gates, but the station opens them twice a year. This is usually two summer Sundays. The route is especially popular with cyclists. There are also more risky climbs on the rough road of the western ridge.
Climbing this White Mountain Peak does not require high climbing skills, but it can be challenging due to its decent altitude.
North Palisade - 4343 meters
Highest peak in the Palisade group. The first ascent was made in 1903. James Hutchinson, Joseph Leconte and James Moffitt approached overland from the south side. Having explored the territory, they planned to ascend along the southwestern trench and a complex system of cracks. Then they found a ledge along which they were able to get into a series of icy ravines leading to the summit. Having overcome all these obstacles, the travelers reached their goal on July 25. After that, the peak got its official name and it has been listed in the United States Geographical Register.
North Palisade has several child peaks - Thunderbolt, Starlight and Polemonium. All of them are located on the main ridge of the Polemonium ridge, located between two gorges. Starlight is also known as the "Milk Bottle" and is the end of many hiking trails. And Thunderbolt was struck by lightning during a terrible thunderstorm, which is why it got its name.
North Palisade has a small glacier and several popular mountain trails on the northwest slope
Shasta - 4320 meters
This mountain is potentially active volcano towering over the southern Cascade Mountains in California. This is the largest stratovolcano in this mountain system. Both the summit and its surroundings are controlled by the US Forest Service. The mountain plays a significant role in the landscape of Northern California. On a clear winter day, the mountain can be seen from the Central Valley at a distance of 230 kilometers. The summit has always attracted the attention of poets and painters.
The mountain consists of four volcanic cones, forming a complex shape. Its surface is covered with glacial erosion, except for the southern side. It is the world's largest glacial valley on a volcano.
There are seven glaciers on Shasta, one of which is the largest in the United States.
According to archaeological site, people discovered this mountain already 7000 years ago, and 5000 years ago they began to settle here. Many Native American tribes lived here in the 1820s. In 1786, Laperukh allegedly observed one of the eruptions, but this fact is disputed. Most likely, these were Spanish explorers in 1826. The mountain was clearly visible from one of the small farms in California and was (and remains) an important landmark for trade and tourist routes.
During the Gold Rush in the 1850s, new settlements began to actively form here, and the first recorded ascent to the top took place in 1854. Now the mountain is officially listed as a natural landmark.
The mountain has an important religious significance. In the 1900s, Italians came here to found a colony of stonecutters and created a powerful Catholic community. But over the years, Shasta has attracted members of other faiths more than any other volcano. There are also Catholic monasteries and Buddhist temples, and Indian sacred places... Moreover, the summit is shrouded in hundreds of myths and legends.
The last eruption volcano happened about 200 years ago
Sill - 4316 meters
Mount Sill in the USA also belongs to the Sierra Nevada, its slopes are covered with small glaciers. Its two peaks are connected by a rocky ridge, the northern side of which is covered by the Palisade Glacier. In the vicinity of the peak are Kings Canyon National Park, Fresno County, John Muir Desert and Inyo National Park.
Tourist routes are present on all sides of the mountain, the difficulty of climbing them varies. The English name appeared only in 1904 in honor of the American writer Edward Rowland Sill.
Native Indians call the peak the "Guardian of the Valley"
Russell - 4296 meters
This is the top on the border national parks Inyo and Sequoia. It rises to the southwest of the large alpine lake Tulaino. The peak was named after the Israeli Cook Russell, an American geologist best known for his research in Alaska. The first ascent of Mount Russell took place in June 1926.
Russell is much less popular than his neighbor Whitney. But, since its southern and eastern slopes fall into the Whitney zone of Inyo Park, some restrictions have been imposed on the passage along them. For example, from May to October, only ten tourists are allowed a day to prevent Russell's tourists from interfering with Whitney's tourists.
Climbers are provided with at least ten routes of different difficulty levels.
Split - 4287 meters
The mountain is at the southern end of the Palisade group. The name Split was first used by a climber named Bolton Brown in 1895. Sometimes the mountain is also called the South, or Southeast Palisade.
The mountain is one of the easiest to climb in California, especially the northern slope, which is easiest to climb through the east, from Red Lake.
The name of the mountain (translated as "split") is due to the fact that it has two peaks
As you can see, most of the listed peaks are part of the historically important mountain spur of the Sierra Nevada. Many waterways originate here. There are several very interesting natural objects in this area:
- big freshwater lake Taha;
- Hatch Hatch Valley, Yosemite Waterfalls and Granite Domes, Kings Canyon and Kern Canyon National Parks;
- groves of giant sequoias;
- the two largest rivers in California are Sacramento and San Joaquin.
Most of the region consists of federal states, their development is strictly controlled.
The mountains have always attracted adventure seekers. Each of them wants to test himself for strength, to prove to himself and to others that he is capable of much. Mountaineering is one of the options to do this. But this activity is quite dangerous, especially when it comes to such high and steep mountains.
North and South America, together with the adjacent islands, are traditionally united into one part of the world, called America. But according to natural conditions, these continents represent two completely different worlds, which is due to differences in geographic location and in the history of their development.
The mountains of America are primarily the Cordillera system - the longest mountain system in the world, which stretches along the western coast of both Americas (North and South America). It separates the drainage basins of two great oceans - the Pacific and the Atlantic.
The mountains of America are also one of the highest mountains in the world, in terms of their height they are second only to the mountains of the "Himalayas", as well as the mountains of Central Asia. The highest point of both Americas is Mount Aconcagua, its height is 6962 meters above sea level.
The peculiarity of the American mountains is also in the fact that they pass in almost all geographic zones, featuring a wide variety of landscapes and the natural world. Glaciers in the mountains of America occupy about 90 thousand square kilometers, they are mainly located in the north of North America.
The greatest American mountains - the Cordillera mountains are divided into two parts: the Cordillera of North America and the Cordillera of South America.
The Cordillera of North America are found primarily in countries such as Canada, the United States and Mexico. They stretch from Alaska to the Isthmus of Panama along the western coast of the continent. Their length from north to south is about 6,000 km. The highest point of the Cordillera in North America (as well as the entire North American continent) is Mount McKinley in Alaska, its height is 6193 m.
The Cordillera of North America are divided into a number of ridges. The highest ridge in the north of the continent is the "Alaska Ridge", where Mount McKinley is located. Further southeast within Canada and the United States, the Cordillera are called the "Rocky Mountains". To the west of them is the Coastal Range, which, passing into the United States, begins to be called the "Cascade Mountains". To the south of them, in the western belt of the Cordilleras is the Sierra Nevada mountain range, its highest point is Mount Whitney (4418 m.). Further south, on the territory of Mexico, the Cordillera split into two mountain ranges- Western and Eastern Sierra Madre. In the south, these mountain ranges are crossed by a transverse volcanic ridge with such famous volcanoes as Orisava (its height is 5700 m.) and Popocatepetl (its height is 5452 m.).
In South America, the Cordillera system is made up of the Andean Cordilleras, or simply the Andes. This is the longest mountain system in the world - the Andes stretch from north to south for 9000 km.! The highest mountain in the Andes is Mount Aconcagua with a height of 6962 m. On average, the height of the Andes is about 4 thousand meters.
The Andes stretched through the territories of seven states of South America - Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
The Andes - revived mountains, erected by the latest uplifts on the site of the so-called Andean (Cordillera) folded geosynclinal belt; The Andes are one of the planet's largest systems of alpine folding (on the Paleozoic and partly Baikal folded basement).
The beginning of the formation of the Andes dates back to the Jurassic time. The Andean mountain system is characterized by troughs formed in the Triassic, subsequently filled with layers of sedimentary and volcanic rocks of considerable thickness. Large massifs of the Main Cordillera and the coast of Chile, the Coastal Cordillera of Peru are granitoid intrusions of the Cretaceous age. Intermontane and foredeeps (Altiplano, Maracaibo, etc.) were formed in the Paleogene and Neogene time. Tectonic movements accompanied by seismic and volcanic activity continue in our time. This is due to the fact that a subduction zone passes along the Pacific coast of South America: the Nazca and Antarctic plates go under the South American, which contributes to the development of mountain building processes. The extreme southern part of South America, Tierra del Fuego, is separated by a transform fault from the small Scotia Plate. Beyond the Drake Passage, the Andes continue the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The Andes are rich in ores, mainly of non-ferrous metals (vanadium, tungsten, bismuth, tin, lead, molybdenum, zinc, arsenic, antimony, etc.); deposits are confined mainly to the Paleozoic structures of the eastern Andes and the vents of ancient volcanoes; in Chile there are large copper deposits. In the fore and foothill troughs, there is oil and gas (in the foothills of the Andes within Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina), in the weathering crusts there are bauxites. There are also deposits of iron (in Bolivia), sodium nitrate (in Chile), gold, platinum and emeralds (in Colombia) in the Andes.
The Andes consist mainly of meridional parallel ridges: the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, the Central Cordillera of the Andes, the Western Cordillera of the Andes, the Coastal Cordillera of the Andes, between which lie the inner plateaus and plateaus (Puna, Altiplano - in Bolivia and Peru) or depressions. The width of the mountain system is mainly 200-300 km.
The Andes are a large interoceanic watershed; the rivers of the basin flow east of the Andes Atlantic Ocean(in the Andes, the Amazon itself and many of its large tributaries, as well as the tributaries of the Orinoco, Paraguay, Parana, the Magdalena River and the Patagonia River originate), to the west - the Pacific Ocean basin (mostly short).
The Andes serve as the most important climatic barrier in South America, isolating the territories to the west of the Main Cordillera from the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, to the east from the influence of the Pacific Ocean. The mountains lie in 5 climatic zones (equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate) and differ (especially in the central part) by sharp contrasts in the moisture content of the eastern (leeward) and western (windward) slopes.
Due to the considerable extent of the Andes, their individual landscape parts differ significantly from each other. By the nature of the relief and other natural differences, as a rule, three main regions are distinguished - the Northern, Central and Southern Andes.
Mount Aconcagua - the highest point of the American continent and the highest in the world dormant volcano... The height of the mountain is 6962 meters. From the Quechua language, the name of the mountain is translated as "Stone Guard".
Mount Aconcagua is located in the central part of the Andes (Main Cordillera) in Argentina. It arose from the collision of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Mount Aconcagua is located in the Aconcagua National Park. It has many glaciers, the largest of which are the northeastern and eastern glaciers.
The Cordillera are the largest mountain range that crosses South and North America. Therefore, it is divided into the Cordillera of North America and the Cordillera of South America.
Top 10 includes highest mountains in North America.
10. Split | Height 4 287 m
Opens ten of the highest mountains in North America. The mountain peak is located in the state of California (USA) in the Kings Canyon National Park. The height of the mountain is 4287 m above sea level. The peak was named for the bifurcating summit by climber Bolton Brown in 1895.
9. Russell | Height 4,296 m
A mountain peak in the Sierra Nevada system in North America, located in the Sequoia National Park (California, USA). Located 1.3 km north of Mount Whitney (the highest in the ridge). In height it reaches 4296 meters.
8. Sill | Height 4 316 m
A mountain peak with a height of 4316 meters, located in the Sierra Nevada system in the United States, in the Kings Canyon National Park. The Payut Indians called the mountain Nen-i-mish, which literally means "Guardian of the Valley." The English name Sill was given to the mountain by Joseph LeConte in 1904, in honor of the American poet Edward Rowland Sill.
7. Shasta | Height 4 317 m
The highest mountain in North America, which reaches 4317 meters. According to one version, the origin of the name of the mountain has Russian roots - from the word "happiness". This was the name of the mountain by the first Russian settlers in California, and the Indians changed it to Shasta. The mountain belongs to stratovolcanoes. Scientists who study volcanoes argue that the eruption of Shasta is inevitable, but it is still impossible to give forecasts for the timing. Adjacent to the main summit are 4 peaks with varying degrees of activity. Shasta is characterized by eternal snows that do not melt even in the hottest summer months... In total, 7 glaciers were discovered on the mountain, located on the northern and eastern slopes at an altitude of over 3000 m.In clear weather, Shasta shines like precious stone and can be seen 100 miles away.
6. North Palisade | Height 4 341 m
The third highest mountain in the Sierra Nevada massif in California (4341 meters). The summit did not submit to man until 1903. The northern slope of the mountain is one of the popular climbing walls. The mountain is located in the Kings Canyon National Park.
5. White Mountain Peak | Height 4 342 m
Included in the list of the highest mountains in North America. The height of the summit is 4342 meters. The University of California has three high-altitude research stations on the slopes of this mountain: Crooked Creek at 3100 m, Barcroft (3800 m), and a small station at the summit. Climbing the peak does not require climbing skills, but presents a serious problem for tourists due to its high altitude.
4. Williamson | Height 4 390 m
One of the highest mountains in the Sierra Nevada range of North America. The height of the summit is 4390 meters. The summit was not conquered until 1884. Best season for climbing the mountain: June, July, August, September. Climbing a peak like Mount Williamson requires more physical than technical training. Some sections may require some effort, but the entire route can be completed in one day without the need for a large number of special means and equipment. The organization of intermediate camps, as well as difficult acclimatization at such a summit, is not required.
3. Mount Whitney | Height 4 421 m
The highest point of the Sierra Nevada ridges in North America, with a height of 4421 meters. The western slope of the mountain is located in the Sequoia National Park. The mountain got its name in honor of the 19th century American geologist Josiah Whitney, who laid the foundation for a comprehensive geological survey of the Californian lands. The first conquerors of its summit in 1873 were the fishermen Charles Begoul, A. H. Johnson, and John Lucas, who lived in the Californian city of Lone Pine. Whitney is the first peak on the list of California fourteen thousand, the twelve mountains in California, whose height exceeds 14,000 feet. It is also the highest point in the Continental States.
2. Robson | Height 3 954 m
One of the highest points of the Rocky Mountains in North America at 3954 m. Mount Robson stands out for its amazing vertical relief structure and emphasis above the surrounding terrain. The distance from Lake Berg to the summit is 2300 m. The northern slope is heavily snowy. The thickness of the ice sheet is 800 meters from the summit to the Berg glacier. The height of the southern slope reaches 3000 meters from the foot to the top. The southern slope of the mountain is clearly visible from the Yellowhead highway (Highway 16). The northern slope is visible from the shore of Lake Berg, from a distance of 19 km. The lake is about 2 km long. Camps have been set up at different ends of the lake. The Robson Glacier is the source of the Robson River, which flows around the northeast side of the mountain and into the ocean. At the foot (on the peneplain) of the Robson Glacier, is the Nunatak, which divides the glacier flow into two parts: the western Robson River Valley and the East Albert Basin. Mount Robson has very low climbing statistics - only 10% of expeditions ended in success. Although the mountain is below 4000 m, there are no easily accessible paths to the top, and weather overwhelm most lifting attempts.
1. Denali | Height 6 190 m
The highest mountain in North America, with a height of 6190 meters. Located in the center national reserve Denali in Alaska. For more than a hundred years, this two-headed mountain was called McKinley. Only in 2015 did US President Barack Obama regain its historical name. This is one of the most inaccessible peaks in the world. It is believed that in 1839 the Russian navigator Ferdinand Wrangel mapped the mountain on the map of Russian America. Until 1867, Denali was the highest point of the Russian Empire, until on March 30, Alaska, along with the mountain, was sold to the United States. Translated from the language of the Athabaskan Indians, the name of Mount Denali (Denali) means "Great". During the colonization of Alaska, the Russians simply called it Big Mountain. According to some reports, this is one of the versions of the translation of the Indian name. In 1896, gold digger William Dickey carried out the first scientific measurements, which showed that the height of the peak reaches values of more than 6,000 meters. He proposed to name it in honor of the candidate for the presidency of the United States, William McKinley, who, in his election program, put the backing of the US dollar with a gold reserve as one of the points. This name (Mount McKinley) was used until 2015. The mountain has an unusual shape, it is one of the few "two-headed mountains". If you count from the base (deep under water) to the summit, the height of this massif will be greater than that of the greatest peak in the world - Mount Everest.
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Mount Everest, which is also called Chomolungma, is located on the border of Nepal and China. This mountain is the highest peak in the world, topping the list of the tallest mountains in the world, at 8848 meters above sea level. Climbing it is a real dream for many climbers, but at the same time it is considered very dangerous, because died trying to climb this mountain a large number of of people.
What is the highest peak of the earth
The highest peak in the world is a peak that is higher in relation to other mountains, and the height is measured from sea level. The last value means the position of the free surface of the World Ocean, which is measured along a plumb line with respect to some conventional reference point. This position depends on a number of factors, for example, temperature, the law of gravitation, the moment of rotation of the Earth, etc. It turns out that the most big mountain in the world it is Everest.
What are the highest mountains in the world
Today there is a list of seven mountains, which includes the highest peaks of the six parts of the world, and Europe and Asia are considered separately from each other:
- in Asia, it is Chomolungma;
- in South America - Aconcagua;
- in North America - Denali (formerly McKinley);
- in Africa - Kilimanjaro;
- in Europe - Elbrus;
- in Antarctica - Vinson Peak;
- in Australia and Oceania - Jaya, and the last peak is located in the Indonesian part of New Guinea, although in Australia the highest is Mount Kosciushko.
It should be added that the highest mountains in the world (TOP-100) are located in Asia, in mountain ranges Himalayas, Karakorum and other areas adjacent to them. Today there is even an informal association "The Seven Summits Club", consisting of climbers who have conquered the highest peaks of seven continents. The ranking of the ten highest mountains (eight-thousanders) on the planet is as follows:
- Chomolungma - 8848 m.
- Chogori - 8611 m.
- Kanchenjunga - 8586 m.
- Lhotse - 8516 m.
- Makalu - 8485 m.
- Cho-Oyu - 8188 m.
- Dhaulagiri - 8167 m.
- Manaslu - 8163 m.
- Nangaparbat - 8126 m.
- Annapurna I - 8091 m.
Highest point in Europe
The highest point of the continent is Mount Elbrus, which is located in the Greater Caucasus between the two regions. Russian Federation: Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. It is a two-peaked saddle-shaped cone of the volcano: the western peak reaches an altitude of 5642 m and the eastern one - 5621 m. The last eruption took place around the 50s of our era. This mountain peak is covered with glaciers with an area of 134.5 km2. The first documented ascent to this greatest peak in Europe dates back to 1829 - it was made by the expedition of General G.A. Emmanuel.
There are several options for conquering this peak, for example, it can be an ascent along the eastern route (ridge), starting from Elbrus (village) and passing through the Irikchat gorge, through a pass, a glacier, and so on to the beginning of the ridge. The northern route allows you to really see incredible beauty- hills give way to stones and rocks bizarre shapes... The most popular is the ascent from the south, and the extreme one is from the west, because along the way, there are powerful rocky walls, heavy climbs and glaciers.
Highest peak in Africa
The most famous and famous mountain of the African continent is the volcano Kilimanjaro - 5895 m. It is located in the north-east of Tanzania. It is noteworthy that the stratovolcano has an ice cap that is actively melting - over the past century, the glacier has decreased by 80%. It consists of three main peaks. Hans Meyer first managed to conquer this volcano in 1889. The climb to Kilimanjaro cannot be called technically difficult, but at the same time it is considered spectacular.
Highest point in North America
The highest peak in the North American continent is Denali - a two-headed mountain, which until 2015 was called McKinley, and at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the Great Mountain. Mount McKinley is located in the south of central Alaska. The first to reach the summit were American climbers under the command of Hudson Glass in 1913. Denali's name belongs to the indigenous local residents Alaska - to the Athabasca Indians. The mountain rises at an altitude of 6190 m above sea level.
Highest mountain in South America
In the list of seven peaks, Aconcagua is in second place in height - 6962 m.It is itself the highest mountain peak of the mainland. South America... Aconcagua is located in the Andes Mountains in Argentina. For the first time it was possible to conquer it in 1897 - the first documented ascent was made by an expedition led by Edward Fitzgerald.
The ascent to Aconcagua is considered technically easy if you make it along north slope... This large hill is covered with snow and many glaciers. According to some sources, its name is translated from the Araucano language as "comes from the other side." According to another version, it could come from the Quechua language and means "white guard" or "stone guard".
The highest peak of Antarctica
Vinson Peak reaches a height of 4892 m, located in the Ellsworth mountain range, 1200 km from the South Pole. The summit was discovered by US pilots in 1957. There were several attempts to ascend, but for the first time it was possible to ascend only in 1966 - Nicholas Clinch. Over the past few years, Vinson Massif has received quite a bit of attention from well-funded climbers. The climb itself involves not so many technical difficulties, but your stay in Antarctica is an unsafe undertaking.
Australia's highest peak
Punchak-Jaya or the Pyramid of Carstens is the most high mountain in Australia and Oceania. It rises 4884 m above sea level. Punchak Jaya is located on the Maoke massif in the western part of the island New Guinea... The name is translated from Indonesian as "victory". The first ascent to the summit was made only in 1962, it was carried out by a group of Australian climbers, led by Heinrich Harrer.
Highest peak on earth
Most people know that the highest point on earth is located in South Asia, or more precisely, in the central Himalayas on the border of China and Nepal. During the conquest of Everest, many climbers died. The fact that Chomolungma is the highest mountain on the planet was determined back in 1852 by the Indian topographer and mathematician Radhanat Sikdar. In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay managed to conquer Chomolungma through the South Col. Before that, about 50 expeditions to the Karakorum and the Himalayas were carried out.
The ascent to this peak is extremely difficult and often ends in the death of the climbers. This is due to the poor climatic conditions of the uppermost zone of the mountain: high rarefaction of the atmosphere, low temperatures down to -50-60 degrees, periodic hurricane winds, etc. In addition, other dangers await climbers, including:
- the possibility of falling into the crevices of the relief;
- cliff from steep slopes;
- avalanches.
Mount Everest
The most high peak the world reaches a height of 8848 m. It has the shape of a trihedral pyramid, with the southern slope being steeper. Glaciers flow down from the massif in all directions, the boundary of which ends at an altitude of about 5 km. Today Everest belongs to national park Sagarmatha, located in Nepalese territory. The last 300 m are considered to be the most difficult area for climbing this peak. To successfully pass them, climbers need to overcome a very steep and smooth slope of Everest.
Where is
The southern peak of Everest (8760 m) is located on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region (China), and the northern (8848 m), which is the main one, is located entirely on Chinese territory. Climbing the mountain, taking into account acclimatization and setting up the camp, often takes about two months. Climbers can lose about 10-15 kg in one ascent. For the opportunity to climb from climbers take a lot of money, while the sequence of ascent is established.
Climate and the reason for the formation of Everest
This peak is characterized by a very strong winds, the speed of which can reach 200 km / h. As for the air temperature, the average monthly indicator in July is about 0 ° C, and in January -36 ° C, although on some nights it can even reach -60 ° C. The history of the formation of Chomolungma dough is associated with the formation of the Himalayas. About 50-55 million years ago, the Indian and Eurasian plates began to collide with each other, as a result of which the latter was strongly deformed. This is how the mountain belt appeared, the highest part of which was the Himalayas.
