Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is an incredible feat of human endurance and will, and it also holds the unique distinction of being the highest peak in Africa. How does Kili compare in terms of height to other notable mountains around the world? This article explores the heights of Kilimanjaro and helps you understand why it is considered such an impressive peak.
Climbing Kili: A Height Comparison
At 5,895 meters, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, but how does it compare to other mountains around the world? If you look to the east, Kili towers over the Himalayas, with the highest peak, Mount Everest, measuring 8,848 meters in height. To the west, the highest peak in North America, Mount McKinley, is a mere 4,400 meters tall. It is no surprise, then, that Kili is the tallest mountain in the region.
When comparing Kili to other notable mountains in Africa, the height gap is even more dramatic. The highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, is 4,167 meters tall, making Mt. Kilimanjaro almost 2,000 meters higher. Similarly, the continent’s second highest peak, Mount Kenya, reaches a height of 5,199 meters – a mere 700 meters shorter than Kili.
What Makes Kili So Tall?
Kili’s amazing height is the result of millions of years of volcanic activity. The mountain is composed of three distinct volcanic cones – Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira – that have grown in height over thousands of years. Each of these peaks has its own unique characteristics, and they all make up the distinct silhouette of Kilimanjaro.
The other factor that has made Kili so tall is the continent’s tectonic plates. The African continent is situated on a number of tectonic plates, which not only cause the land to shift and move, but also cause volcanic activity that has helped build up Kili’s height over time.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is an incredible peak, and it stands tall among the other mountains in the region. Its impressive height is the result of millions of years of volcanic activity, combined with the movement of the African continent’s tectonic plates. For those looking to take on the challenge of climbing Kili, it is an incredible experience, and one you won’t soon forget.