It has been a wait of more than a decade and now the coronavirus pandemic further delayed it. We are talking about the announcement of the new height of Mount Everest.

Yes, it is ready but as per the 2019 memorandum of understanding between Nepal and China, the two countries have to announce their findings together. The world waits with bated breath for this new numerical figure which is to come out soon!

Mount Everest and its new height result

Earth’s geography changes every time. And so do the height and other parameters of the various natural treasures of the world. Mount Everest is one of them. It is the highest mountain peak in the world and the highest point on Earth. The peak lies in the mountain range which straddles Nepal and China.

Both the countries had teamed up to take the new measurement of Mount Everest which might have changed over time. Nepal had sent its team to the summit for the task in 2019. And China had sent its team in May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic had delayed matters and results.

But people will not have to wait long. Because the results would be declared soon. But as per the 2019 memorandum of understanding between the two nations, they have to announce their findings together.

The 2010 height of the highest peak in the world

The last measurement was taken by teams from both countries in the year 2010. Earlier, the countries had disagreed on the measured height of the peak. But in 2010, they had reached a consensus. China’s foreign ministry at that time had said:

“The Chinese side … accepted Nepal’s claim that the snow height of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters, while the Nepali side recognized the Chinese claim that the rock height of the mountain is 8,844.43 meters,”

The surveying team is usually from Europe or the USA. Navin Manandhar assisted in the development of the methodology for the re-measurement.

He said:

“This body of work is a matter of pride for Nepal, but is also a huge undertaking and with the whole world keenly waiting for the result, it has not been easy.”

The previous height records of the peak

In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey (GTS) assessed the peak’s height. They had stated that the height of the peak is 8840 meters at that time. These readings have revealed fluctuations since then over time. This was dependent on who the surveyor was and whether the highest rock point or the highest snow point was measured.

Additionally, the two sides use different sea-level points for reference to their measurements. China employs the Yellow Sea while Nepal uses the Bay of Bengal as a reference. Hence there is always some difference in the values that the two sides reach. Christopher Pearson of the University of Otago in New Zealand said:

“The height of Everest is constantly changing due to tectonic activity, of which the 2015 Gorkha earthquake is only the most recent contribution.”

Also, read Prince of Bahrain and 17 others to visit the Himalayan nation of Nepal for mountaineering purposes!