Mountains

[petrushka.googol]

The tallest peak on Earth is Mt.Everest at approx. 29000 feet.

 

Can we have a peak that extends to the exosphere ?

 

Would gravity allow it ?

[Moontanman]

The tallest peak on Earth is Mt.Everest at approx. 29000 feet.

 

Can we have a peak that extends to the exosphere ?

 

Would gravity allow it ?

 

 

No

[Strange]

Everest is about as tall as a mountain can be on Earth (and even then it is temporary):

http://mentalfloss.com/uk/geography/28668/how-tall-can-a-mountain-actually-be

https://www.quora.com/How-tall-can-a-mountain-become-on-Earth

 

 

And here are some rough calculations to support that:

https://talkingphysics.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/how-high-can-mountains-be/

[Moontanman]

Everest is about as tall as a mountain can be on Earth (and even then it is temporary):

http://mentalfloss.com/uk/geography/28668/how-tall-can-a-mountain-actually-be

https://www.quora.com/How-tall-can-a-mountain-become-on-Earth

 

 

And here are some rough calculations to support that:

https://talkingphysics.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/how-high-can-mountains-be/

 

 

I do have a site where you can input things like mass, density, for a planet and get the maximum mountain height. It is so far below the asked question that the concept is really nonsensical. Glad you put a better take on it...

[Velocity_Boy]

No

Why no?

 

You gonna give us a reason?

 

No.

 

Lol.

 

 

 

I disagree.

 

 

Everest is actually pretty close to the beginning of the stratosphere anyway. But you probably didn't know that.

 

At the poles the stratosphere begins at about 30,000 feet. Everest is therefore just about got its peak jutting into the lower boundary of it.

 

It is the troposphere that begins at sea level and extends up to where the stratosphere begins.

 

So sure..a mountain maybe another Mile or so higher than Everest is absolutely possible. And gravity would not be a factor either. Mountains are created when tectonics plate slam together and the edges are forced upwards, like if you slide to napkins together on a tabletop. With sufficient force in the tectonic activity and sufficient density of the geological material creating the mountain, a much taller edifice than Everest is easily plausible.

 

Hope this helps.

[fiveworlds]

I disagree too. The exosphere of a planet is limited to the amount of gas on that planet. The more gas the larger the exosphere. Just because earth doesn't have a mountain that extends beyond the exosphere at the moment doesn't mean that it couldn't ever.

[Moontanman]

Why no?

 

You gonna give us a reason?

 

No.

 

Lol.

 

 

 

I disagree.

 

 

Everest is actually pretty close to the beginning of the stratosphere anyway. But you probably didn't know that.

 

At the poles the stratosphere begins at about 30,000 feet. Everest is therefore just about got its peak jutting into the lower boundary of it.

 

It is the troposphere that begins at sea level and extends up to where the stratosphere begins.

 

So sure..a mountain maybe another Mile or so higher than Everest is absolutely possible. And gravity would not be a factor either. Mountains are created when tectonics plate slam together and the edges are forced upwards, like if you slide to napkins together on a tabletop. With sufficient force in the tectonic activity and sufficient density of the geological material creating the mountain, a much taller edifice than Everest is easily plausible.

 

Hope this helps.

http://www.johnbray.org.uk/planetdesigner/

 

Report on the Terran and [unnamed] systems

Introduction | Stars, planets, and moons now | Star and planet formation | Commentary

Introduction

The results of the calculations are given below. All values are given in the most convenient units, with the ratio of the pair quoted.

Stars and planets evolve over time. Some features, like mass, remain roughly constant throughout their lives, others change quite dramatically. At the moment the program only handles stars on the Main Sequence, when they are stable. It assumes the star and planet are formed at the same time, and counts time from Zero Age Main Sequence (ZAMS), quoting values then and now. Extrapolate between them at your peril!

After the hard numbers, some commentary is given. This is the bit most likely to reflect my prejudices, so take things with a pinch of salt.

Hope you found this program useful!

John

Stars Feature Sol Sol Ratio Comment Type G2 G2 Mass (M₀) 1.00 1.00 1.00 Solar mass M₀ = 1.99E+30 kg Distance from Earth (ly) 0.00 0.00 1.00E+00 Light year = 9.47E+15 m Age on Main Sequence (Gyr) 10.00 10.00 1.00 Age (Gyr) 4.60 4.60 1.00 Radius (R₀) 1.00 1.00 1.00 Solar radius R₀ = 6.96E+08 m Surface gravity (m/s²) 274.2 274.2 1.00 Escape Velocity (km/s) 618 618 1.00 Luminosity (L₀) 1.00 1.00 1.00 Absolute magnitude M_v 4.7 4.7 Apparent magnitude m_v -26.9 -26.9 Surface temperature (K) 5796 5796 1.00 Peak wavelength (micron) 0.50 0.50 1.00 Ecosphere inner radius (AU) 0.99 0.99 1.00 Ecosphere outer radius (AU) 1.38 1.38 1.00 Star formation Luminosity (L₀) 0.71 0.71 1.00 Solar luminosity L₀=3.90E+26 W Radius (R₀) 0.92 0.92 1.00 Solar radius R₀=6.96E+08 m Absolute magnitude 5.1 5.1 Apparent magnitude -26.6 -26.6 Temperature (K) 5539 5539 1.00 Peak wavelength (micron) 0.52 0.52 1.00 Ecosphere inner radius (AU) 0.84 0.84 1.00 Ecosphere outer radius (AU) 1.16 1.16 1.00 Terran [unnamed] Feature Earth The_Moon Earth The_Moon Earth/

Earth The_Moon/

The_Moon Comment Formation Rotation period (hr) 21.96 0.00 21.96 0.00 1.00 -nan -ve is retrograde Temperature range of orbit (°C) -38.6 to -43.2 -13.9 to -19.0 -38.6 to -43.2 -13.9 to -19.0 General Type Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial Terrestrial Mean orbital distance (10⁶ km) 149.60 0.38 149.60 0.38 1.00 1.00 Astronomical Unit=1.50E+08 km Eccentricity 0.020 0.060 0.020 0.060 1.00 1.00 Axial tilt (°) 23.4 0.0 23.4 0.0 1.00 -nan Year (Earth days) 365.2 27.3 365.2 27.3 1.00 1.00 Star system escape velocity (km/s) 42.12 42.12 42.12 42.12 1.00 1.00 From planetary orbit Angular diameter of star (°) 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 1.00 1.00 Angular diameter of moon (°) 0.52 1.91 0.52 1.91 1.00 1.00 Solar day (hr) 24.00 11110.29 24.00 11110.29 1.00 1.00 Radius (km) 6370 1743 6370 1743 1.00 1.00 1/Ellipticity 294.1 300.0 294.1 300.0 1.00 1.00 Lithosphere Mass (Earth Masses) 1.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 1.00 1.00 Earth Mass=5.98E+24 kg Maximum Mass (Earth Masses) 3211.7 -nan 3211.7 -nan 1.00 -nan Density (kg/m³) 5523 2696 5523 2696 1.00 1.00 Albedo 0.33 0.00 0.33 0.00 1.00 -nan Inertia Factor 0.34 -nan 0.34 -nan 1.00 -nan Typical surface gravity (m/s²) 9.83 1.31 9.83 1.31 1.00 1.00 Equatorial surface gravity (m/s²) 9.81 1.32 9.81 1.32 1.00 1.00 Polar surface gravity (m/s²) 9.86 1.31 9.86 1.31 1.00 1.00 Escape velocity (km/s) 11.19 2.14 11.19 2.14 1.00 1.00 Rotation period (hr) 23.9 696.0 23.9 696.0 1.00 1.00 -ve is retrograde Shortest possible period (hr) 2.63 3.77 2.63 3.77 1.00 0.70 Any faster and planet breaks up Geosynchronous orbit (km) 35724 84021 35724 84021 1.00 1.00 above the surface Plate tectonics end (Gyr) 5.10 0.19 5.10 0.19 1.00 1.00 After this carbon is buried in the oceans (terrestrial planets only). Maximum mountain height (m) 16570 124062 16570 124062 1.00 1.00 Mountains in practice smaller, terrestrial planets only Horizon distance (m) 3091 1617 3091 1617 1.00 1.00 at eye level, 1.5 m Atmosphere and Ocean Atmospheric pressure (mbar) 1013 0 1013 0 1.00 -nan Minimum RMM for atmosphere (g) 2.54 69.37 2.54 69.37 1.00 1.00 Gasses lighter than this escape over geological time (Hydrogen = 1) Atmospheric RMM (g) 33.84 0.00 33.84 0.00 1.00 -nan Specific heat capacity (c_p) (J mol^-1 K^-1) 27.6 0.0 27.6 0.0 1.0 -nan Speed of sound at surface (m/s) 318.8 0.0 318.8 0.0 1.00 -nan Temperature range of orbit (°C) -17.7 to 3.6 -17.7 to 3.6 -17.7 to -22.8 9.2 to 3.6 Without greenhouse effect Greenhouse effect (°C) 36.00 0.00 36.00 0.00 1.00 -nan Typical surface temperature (°C) 15.8 6.4 15.8 6.4 With greenhouse effect Scale height (m) 7222 0 7222 0 1.00 -nan Dry adiabatic lapse rate (°C/km) 12.07 0.00 12.07 0.00 1.00 -nan f (Coriolis effect) at 45°N * 1E4 1.03 0.04 1.03 0.04 1.00 1.00 Mid-ocean tide height (m) 0.46 16.52 0.46 16.52 1.00 1.00

Commentary

Terran system:

• For Earth:
  • Hydrogen will escape from proposed atmosphere

  For The_Moon:

  • Plate tectonics may have ceased.
  • Proposed rotation period too short, as it would have been spinning too fast when formed

   

• The_Moon will give total eclipse of Sol on Earth
• Earth will give total eclipse of Sol on The_Moon

[unnamed] system:

• For Earth:
  • Hydrogen will escape from proposed atmosphere

  For The_Moon:

  • Plate tectonics may have ceased.
  • Proposed rotation period too short, as it would have been spinning too fast when formed

   

• The_Moon will give total eclipse of Sol on Earth
• Earth will give total eclipse of Sol on The_Moon

 

I disagree too. The exosphere of a planet is limited to the amount of gas on that planet. The more gas the larger the exosphere. Just because earth doesn't have a mountain that extends beyond the exosphere at the moment doesn't mean that it couldn't ever.

 

 

Of course if the Earth had it's atmosphere stripped away a sand dune would extend beyond the atmosphere, the question is truly meaningless if you take that stance...

Edited June 23, 2016 by Moontanman

[Phi for All]

I disagree.

 

 

Everest is actually pretty close to the beginning of the stratosphere anyway. But you probably didn't know that.

 

At the poles the stratosphere begins at about 30,000 feet. Everest is therefore just about got its peak jutting into the lower boundary of it.

 

It is the troposphere that begins at sea level and extends up to where the stratosphere begins.

 

So sure..a mountain maybe another Mile or so higher than Everest is absolutely possible. And gravity would not be a factor either. Mountains are created when tectonics plate slam together and the edges are forced upwards, like if you slide to napkins together on a tabletop. With sufficient force in the tectonic activity and sufficient density of the geological material creating the mountain, a much taller edifice than Everest is easily plausible.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Did you read the links Strange gave in post #3? It explains how gravity, the viscosity of the rock on Earth, and their sheer weight combine to limit how high a mountain can be on Earth.

 

Reading is better than guessing.

[fiveworlds]

Did you read the links Strange gave in post #3? It explains how gravity, the viscosity of the rock on Earth, and their sheer weight combine to limit how high a mountain can be on Earth.

 

 

What?? If the weight is too much in a mountain type situation then a new stronger compound is usually formed. Plain carbon is soft but that carbon put under enough pressure can become harder than diamond.

[Phi for All]

 

 

What?? If the weight is too much in a mountain type situation then a new stronger compound is usually formed. Plain carbon is soft but that carbon put under enough pressure can become harder than diamond.

 

Or, more likely still, it succumbs to the pressure and moves sideways.

[swansont]

Why no?

 

You gonna give us a reason?

 

No.

 

Lol.

 

 

 

I disagree.

 

 

Everest is actually pretty close to the beginning of the stratosphere anyway. But you probably didn't know that.

 

At the poles the stratosphere begins at about 30,000 feet. Everest is therefore just about got its peak jutting into the lower boundary of it.

 

It is the troposphere that begins at sea level and extends up to where the stratosphere begins.

 

So sure..a mountain maybe another Mile or so higher than Everest is absolutely possible. And gravity would not be a factor either. Mountains are created when tectonics plate slam together and the edges are forced upwards, like if you slide to napkins together on a tabletop. With sufficient force in the tectonic activity and sufficient density of the geological material creating the mountain, a much taller edifice than Everest is easily plausible.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Not really.

 

Another mile gets you to the stratosphere. So what? You have to get all the through that, and then the mesosphere, before you get to the exosphere. You're at 10 km and you need to get to 500 km.

 

http://www.ces.fau.edu/nasa/images/EarthsAtmostphere/LayersOfAtmosphere%20copy.gif

[michel123456]

The tallest peak on Earth is Mt.Everest at approx. 29000 feet.

 

Can we have a peak that extends to the exosphere ?

 

Would gravity allow it ?

No, Mont Chimborazo wins.

http://www.universetoday.com/15025/highest-place-on-earth/

[fiveworlds]

Or, more likely still, it succumbs to the pressure and moves sideways.

 

Well yeah that would give the mountain a wider base. Not many mountains have a wide peak...

[swansont]

No, Mont Chimborazo wins.

http://www.universetoday.com/15025/highest-place-on-earth/

That's the answer to a different question. "Tallest" is measured from sea level. You aren't taller because you stand on a step.

[arc]

Mauna Kea is several thousand meters taller (measured from base to summit) than Everest. Mauna Kea is of volcanic origin, so it is unlikely it could support itself to the levels of the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that make up Everest. Does the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean support the mountain? There must also be a substantial sea water penetration into the porous base materials of this volcanic island. Volcanic Mount St. Helens was substantially weakened by its glacier's melting prior to its earthquake triggered catastrophic landslide that uncapped its magma. Periodic earthquakes in Mauna Kea has probably also induced settling and landslides in its lower portions. It is also interesting that it depresses the oceanic plate below it by a staggering 6 km. That's over half its height. It is undoubtedly a difficult task for the lithosphere to support these massive structures. On the other hand the Himalayas are currently still rising due to the thickening of the continental collision zone that is beneath them.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea

Mauna Kea is over 3,200 km³ (770 cu mi) in volume, so massive that it and its neighbor, Mauna Loa, depress the ocean crust beneath it by 6 km (4 mi).^[9] The volcano continues to slip and flatten under its own weight at a rate of less than 0.2 mm (0.01 in) per year. Much of its mass lies east of its present summit. Mauna Kea stands 4,205 m (13,800 ft) above sea level, just 35 m (110 ft) higher than its neighbor Mauna Loa,^[3] and is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.^[10] Measured from its base on the ocean floor, it rises over 10,000 m (33,000 ft), significantly greater than the elevation of Mount Everest above sea level.

Edited June 25, 2016 by arc

[arc]

Mauna Kea is several thousand meters taller (measured from base to summit) than Everest. Mauna Kea is of volcanic origin, so it is unlikely it could support itself to the levels of the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that make up Everest. Does the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean support the mountain? There must also be a substantial sea water penetration into the porous base materials of this volcanic island. Volcanic Mount St. Helens was substantially weakened by its glacier's melting prior to its earthquake triggered catastrophic landslide that uncapped its magma. Periodic earthquakes in Mauna Kea has probably also induced settling and landslides in its lower portions. It is also interesting that it depresses the oceanic plate below it by a staggering 6 km. That's over half its height. It is undoubtedly a difficult task for the lithosphere to support these massive structures. On the other hand the Himalayas are currently still rising due to the thickening of the continental collision zone that is beneath them.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea

Mauna Kea is over 3,200 km³ (770 cu mi) in volume, so massive that it and its neighbor, Mauna Loa, depress the ocean crust beneath it by 6 km (4 mi).^%5B9%5D The volcano continues to slip and flatten under its own weight at a rate of less than 0.2 mm (0.01 in) per year. Much of its mass lies east of its present summit. Mauna Kea stands 4,205 m (13,800 ft) above sea level, just 35 m (110 ft) higher than its neighbor Mauna Loa,^%5B3%5D and is the highest point in the state of Hawaii.^%5B10%5D Measured from its base on the ocean floor, it rises over 10,000 m (33,000 ft), significantly greater than the elevation of Mount Everest above sea level.

 

I was rather suspicious of that claim that the oceanic crust was depressed by 6 km. I looked at a GeoMapApp cross section and could not decipher a depression in the image. I imagined the volcanic island sitting in the middle of a large depression, like a bowling ball on a trampoline, but the image did not reveal anything close to what I imagined. So I wondered if it was just a wiki misunderstanding of the original study.

Image was furnished through and in no way endorsed by http://www.geomapapp.org using Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis,

Ryan, W. B. F., S.M. Carbotte, J. Coplan, S. O'Hara, A. Melkonian, R. Arko, R.A. Weissel, V. Ferrini, A. Goodwillie, F. Nitsche, J. Bonczkowski, and R. Zemsky (2009), Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) synthesis data set, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 10, Q03014, doi:10.1029/2008GC002332.

Data doi: 10.1594/IEDA.0001000, through http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

 

I looked at the original source to make sure I understood correctly.

 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1557/report.pdf

INTRODUCTION

Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, both volcanoes that rise more than 4,000 m above sea level, dominate the landscape of the Island of Hawaii (fig. 1). Offshore soundings led early students of the Hawaiian volcanoes (Dana, 1890) to realize that these volcanoes were built on a sea floor 5 km deep and are each, therefore, at least 9 km high. Recent seismic-refraction studies, however (summarized by Moore, 1987), have shown that as these piles of lava accumulated, they depressed the sea floor by as much as another 6 km (fig. 1). Thus, the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are approximately 15 km above the down warped substrate, and the volume of each volcano exceeds 32,000 km 3, representing enormous outpourings of magma from localized sources.

 

So now I assume it must be completely filled with debris from the settling of the mountain, to the point it is not detectable at the ocean floor adjacent to the volcano.

 

But, "15 km above the down warped substrate ". . . HOLY CRAP!!!

Edited June 26, 2016 by arc