Let’s go on an exciting journey to learn about the biggest mountains in our solar system! We’ll compare the tallest mountains on Earth with those on Mars. Get ready to discover their amazing heights and what makes each one special.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, reaching a height of 29,029 feet (5.49 miles). It’s located in the Himalayas, right between Nepal and China. Many adventurers dream of climbing this giant peak!
K2 is the second tallest mountain, standing at 28,251 feet (5.35 miles). It’s also in the Himalayas, between China and Pakistan. K2 is known for being very tough to climb, even for experienced mountaineers.
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain, with a height of 28,169 feet (5.29 miles). It sits on the border of Nepal and India and is famous for its breathtaking views and challenging paths.
Lhotse is the fourth tallest mountain, reaching 27,940 feet (5.27 miles). It’s close to Mount Everest and is known for its steep and dramatic south face.
Makalu is the fifth highest peak, standing at 27,838 feet (5.27 miles). It’s located in the Himalayas, near the border of Nepal and Tibet.
Now, let’s travel to Mars! Olympus Mons is the tallest volcano and mountain in the entire solar system, towering at 69,841 feet (13.6 miles). This giant shield volcano is in the Tharsis region and is a standout feature on Mars.
Arsia Mons is the second highest mountain on Mars, with a height of 62,441 feet (12.7 miles). Like Olympus Mons, it’s a shield volcano and is known for its long lava flows.
Ascraeus Mons is the third largest mountain on Mars, standing at 56,169 feet (10.8 miles). It also has a large summit caldera, which is a big crater at the top.
Pavonis Mons is the fourth highest mountain on Mars, reaching 56,045 feet (10.8 miles). It’s part of the Tharsis volcanic region and has a wide, gently sloping shape.
The Tharsis Montes is a group of three large shield volcanoes, including Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons. These volcanoes show how active Mars has been with volcanic eruptions.
Exploring the largest mountains in our solar system shows us the incredible heights and unique features of both Earth and Mars. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the massive volcanoes on Mars, these natural wonders remind us of the amazing diversity of our planetary neighbors.
Mountain Height Comparison: Create a simple chart comparing the heights of the mountains on Earth and Mars. Use colored paper strips to represent the height of each mountain. For example, one inch can represent 5,000 feet. Arrange the strips from shortest to tallest and see how the mountains on Mars compare to those on Earth. Discuss why the mountains on Mars are so much taller than those on Earth.
Build Your Own Mountain: Using clay or playdough, create models of Mount Everest and Olympus Mons. Pay attention to their shapes and sizes. Once your models are ready, measure their heights and compare them. Discuss how the shapes of these mountains might affect their height and what challenges climbers might face on each.
Math Challenge: If Mount Everest is 29,029 feet tall and Olympus Mons is 69,841 feet tall, how much taller is Olympus Mons than Mount Everest? Use subtraction to find the difference in their heights. Write your answer in feet and miles. Discuss why it might be easier or harder to climb a mountain on Mars compared to Earth.
