Everest

[chris.i]

How high is Mount Everest

[dosset]

29035 ft

8850 mtrs

[kempie]

According to National Geographic, Everest grows about 4 millimeters a year: the two tectonic plates of Asia and India, which collided millions of years ago to form the Himalayas, continue to press against each other, causing the Himalyan peaks to grow slightly each year.

The "official" height of the summit of Mount Everest was for years 8,848 m (29,028 feet) above sea level. Measurements by satellite in 1995 showed it somewhat higher: 8,872 m (29,118 ft).

As of Nov. 11, 1999, the new official height was announced as 8,850 m (29,035 feet), measured using GPS equipment.

[sddsddean]

When it was first measured in the 19th Century, the calculations put it at exactly 29000ft. As the surveyors thought everyone would think they had 'guessed' the height, they said it was 29002 ft!