Introduction
When someone asks “what is the tallest thing in the world?”, it can be difficult to come up with an answer. It depends on how you define “tallest”, as there are many impressive structures that could qualify. From mountains to buildings, and even trees, there are a variety of things that could be considered the tallest thing in the world. In this article, we will explore the world’s highest peaks, tallest buildings and tallest trees to determine what is currently considered the world’s tallest thing.
World’s Highest Peaks
The highest peak on each continent is often considered one of the world’s tallest things. The seven continental summits include Denali (Mount McKinley) in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, Vinson Massif in Antarctica and Mount Everest in Asia. These mountains range from 5,633 meters (18,510 feet) for Mount Kosciuszko to 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) for Mount Everest. While these mountains are all impressive, they do not necessarily qualify as the tallest thing in the world.
In addition to the impressive heights of these mountains, the challenges associated with climbing them should also be taken into consideration. Mountaineers must face extreme weather conditions and physical obstacles when attempting to summit these peaks. Therefore, while they may be among the world’s tallest things, they are certainly not the easiest to climb.
Top 10 Tallest Buildings in the World
The world’s tallest buildings are all located in the Middle East and Asia. The ten tallest buildings in the world, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, are: Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (828 meters/2,717 feet); Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China (632 meters/2,073 feet); Makkah Royal Clock Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (601 meters/1,971 feet); Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen, China (599 meters/1,965 feet); Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea (554.5 meters/1,819 feet); One World Trade Center in New York City, USA (541.3 meters/1,776 feet); Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan (509.2 meters/1,671 feet); Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, China (492 meters/1,614 feet); International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong, China (484 meters/1,588 feet); and Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (452.0 meters/1,483 feet).
These skyscrapers are all impressive feats of engineering and architecture. From the Burj Khalifa’s record-breaking height to the iconic design of the Petronas Twin Towers, these buildings are some of the most impressive structures in the world. However, they still may not be the tallest thing in the world.
World’s Tallest Trees
The world’s tallest trees have been measured by scientists in various locations around the world. The current record holder is Hyperion, a coast redwood tree located in Redwood National Park in California, USA. This tree stands at 115.55 meters (379.3 feet) tall and has held the title of the world’s tallest tree since 2006. Other notable trees include Helios, another coast redwood tree located in Redwood National Park; Centurion, a mountain ash tree located in Tasmania, Australia; and Doerner Fir, a Douglas fir tree located in Oregon, USA. All of these trees measure over 100 meters (328 feet) tall.
Studying these trees can be a difficult task due to their remote locations, as well as the dangers associated with studying them. Scientists must use climbing ropes, ladders and other equipment to measure and study these trees, which can be dangerous due to high winds, slippery surfaces and other environmental factors. Despite the challenges, these trees are some of the most impressive living things on Earth.
What Is the Tallest Thing on Earth?
The definition of “tallest” can be subjective. For example, if you consider only height, then the tallest thing in the world would likely be the Burj Khalifa. However, if you take into account the challenges associated with climbing the highest peaks or studying the tallest trees, then the tallest thing in the world might be different. Ultimately, it depends on how you define “tallest”.
Currently, the world’s tallest thing is considered to be the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, USA. This volcano is 4,207.3 meters (13,803 feet) tall when measured from its base on the ocean floor, making it significantly taller than any mountain, building or tree on Earth. It is also one of the most challenging places to study, due to the thin atmosphere and extreme temperatures at its summit.
Conclusion
There are many impressive structures that could qualify as the world’s tallest thing. The highest peaks on each continent, the tallest buildings and the tallest trees are all impressive feats of nature and engineering. However, when taking into account the challenges associated with studying these structures, the tallest thing in the world is currently considered to be the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii, USA.
