Mount Everest Isn’t the Tallest Spot on Earth

Our planet spins once a day, and this rotation affects its shape. Just like how spinning a pizza dough makes it bulge in the middle, the Earth bulges at the equator too. This phenomenon makes our planet an “oblate spheroid”—a fancy way of saying it’s slightly squished at the poles and wider at the equator.

Because of this bulge, sea level at the equator is farther from the center of the Earth than at the poles. That means the peak of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, which sits near the equator, is actually the farthest point from the Earth’s center—even though its height above sea level is shorter than Everest’s.

Most people think of height as being measured from sea level, but sea level isn’t the same around the world. Because of the Earth’s shape, sea level at the equator is naturally higher than at the poles, making “tall” a relative term.

If you’re standing on Mount Chimborazo, you’re actually closer to space than if you were on Everest’s summit. Even though Everest is the tallest peak above sea level, it’s not the highest point from the Earth’s center. It’s all about perspective!

The Earth’s bulge at the equator means any mountain near it is naturally positioned farther from the center of the Earth. This quirk of physics is why Chimborazo can outdo Everest in terms of distance from the center of the Earth.

Understanding the true “tallest” point on Earth requires thinking beyond sea level. The Earth’s unique shape changes how we define height, making Mount Chimborazo the true peak champion when measured from the center. It is a fun reminder that there’s more to a title than meets the eye. Next time someone mentions the “tallest mountain,” you’ll know there’s a little more to the story!

Stay tuned,

BREEFX ✨

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