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Beestie · 05-11-2009, 02:59 AM

Well, using that logic, the concept of mountain kind of breaks down. Since a mountain is basically created by colliding plates, I guess it would be fair to use some agreed upon height of the two contributing plates as a baseline. That may not address all the concerns but at least it allows for a comparison of different mountains.

Using the pure measure of the distance from the center of the earth would unduly penalize moutains further away from the equator that rose higher above their surrounding plates than equatorial counterparts which start from an already higher point.

Someone who pole vaults 21' (ok, three meters - happy now :-) in Ecuador hasn't really jumped higher than someone who pole vaults 21' in Moscow.

The highest point on the earth and the tallest mountain on earth could very well be two different places.

05-11-2009, 02:59 AM	#19
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Well, using that logic, the concept of mountain kind of breaks down. Since a mountain is basically created by colliding plates, I guess it would be fair to use some agreed upon height of the two contributing plates as a baseline. That may not address all the concerns but at least it allows for a comparison of different mountains. Using the pure measure of the distance from the center of the earth would unduly penalize moutains further away from the equator that rose higher above their surrounding plates than equatorial counterparts which start from an already higher point. Someone who pole vaults 21' (ok, three meters - happy now :-) in Ecuador hasn't really jumped higher than someone who pole vaults 21' in Moscow. The highest point on the earth and the tallest mountain on earth could very well be two different places. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦