Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, is the highest peak in North America. The mountain is located in the Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, United States. The altitude of Mount McKinley has been a topic of much interest and controversy among mountaineers and scientists for decades. In this article, we will explore the altitude of Mount McKinley and the methods used to measure it.
Location of Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley is located in the central Alaska Range, approximately 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Anchorage. The mountain is part of the Denali National Park and Preserve, a protected area spanning over six million acres. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep. Mount McKinley is a popular destination for climbers and hikers, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Physical Characteristics of Mount McKinley
Mount McKinley stands at an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level, making it the highest peak in North America. The mountain is composed of sedimentary and igneous rocks, and its summit is covered by glaciers and snowfields. The mountain has two major peaks: the South Summit, which is the highest point, and the North Summit, which is slightly lower. The mountain has a prominence of 20,146 feet (6,144 meters), which means that it rises over 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above its surrounding terrain.
Measuring Altitude
Measuring the altitude of a mountain is a challenging task that requires specialized equipment and expertise. Traditionally, altitude was measured using barometers and other atmospheric pressure instruments. In modern times, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has become the primary method for measuring altitude. GPS uses satellites to determine the precise location and altitude of a point on the earth’s surface.
Early Attempts to Measure Altitude of Mount McKinley
The first recorded attempt to measure the altitude of Mount McKinley was made in 1889 by a US Navy lieutenant named Henry T. Allen. Allen used a barometer to estimate the mountain’s height, but his measurement was later found to be inaccurate. Several other expeditions attempted to measure the mountain’s altitude in the following years, but none were successful.
Modern Measurements of Altitude
The first accurate measurement of Mount McKinley’s altitude was made in 1951 by a US Geological Survey team led by Bradford Washburn. The team used a combination of aerial photography and trigonometry to determine that the mountain’s elevation was 20,320 feet (6,194 meters) above sea level. Since then, several other measurements have been made using GPS technology, and the mountain’s altitude has been revised to 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level.
Controversies Surrounding Altitude of Mount McKinley
There has been some controversy surrounding the altitude of Mount McKinley, particularly in relation to the prominence of the mountain. In 2015, the US Geological Survey conducted a new survey that resulted in a revised measurement of the mountain’s prominence. The survey found that the prominence of Mount McKinley was actually 20,146 feet (6,144 meters), which is slightly lower than the previously accepted value of 20,320 feet (6,194 meters).
Final Verdict on Altitude of Mount McKinley
The current accepted measurement of Mount McKinley’s altitude is 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level. This measurement has been determined using modern GPS technology and has been confirmed by several different surveys. The prominence of the mountain is currently accepted to be 20,146 feet (6,144 meters) above its surrounding terrain.
Comparison with Other Tall Mountains
Mount McKinley is one of the tallest mountains in the world, but it is not the tallest. The tallest mountain in the world is Mount Everest, which stands at an elevation of 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level. Other tall mountains include K2 in Pakistan, which stands at 28,251 feet (8,611 meters) above sea level, and Kangchenjunga in Nepal, which stands at 28,169 feet (8,586 meters) above sea level.
Importance of Mount McKinley’s Altitude
The altitude of Mount McKinley is important for a variety of reasons. It is a popular destination for climbers and hikers, and accurate altitude measurements are essential for safety and navigation. The altitude of the mountain is also important for scientific research, as it provides insight into the geological history and processes of the region.
Conclusion
Mount McKinley, also known as Denali, is the highest peak in North America. Its altitude has been a topic of much interest and controversy for decades, but the current accepted measurement is 20,310 feet (6,190 meters) above sea level. The mountain’s prominence is 20,146 feet (6,144 meters). Accurate altitude measurements are important for climbers, hikers, and scientists, and Mount McKinley’s altitude provides valuable insight into the geological history of the region.
References and Further Reading
- National Park Service. (n.d.). Denali. https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
- Alaska Public Lands Information Center. (n.d.). Mount McKinley.
- US Geological Survey. (2015). Contour Interval and Surface Area Tables for Denali National Park and Preserve. https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2015/1081/
- Washburn, B., & Myers, L. (1951). Mount McKinley, Alaska. National Geographic Magazine, 99(6), 787-814.
