Our planet has passed a complex and long path of geological formation. This process continues, and the outlines of modern continents formed about 150 million years ago.
Quite a lot has been written about the processes of the geological structure, but let's look at it in a slightly different plane and find out what is the highest continent on Earth.
For those who are especially busy, let's say right away that:
Antarctica is the highest continent of the planet.
Who cares to know more, read on! TheBiggest editors want to analyze this issue in more detail.
The highest points of the continents
To begin, consider the highest points of the continents and their geological history, because it is always interesting how and as a result of which these or other formations appeared on the earth's surface.
Australia:
Kosciuszko (2,230 meters)
Australia’s highest mountain is called the Polish leader of the liberation movement, although locals often call it Kozi-Osko. The first ascent took place in 1840, it was then that they learned about it in Europe.
Oceania:
Wilhelm (4 509 meters)
From the Green Continent we will move to Papua New Guinea, where Wilhelm Mountain rises above the islands of Oceania. The highest point in Oceania is called one of the sons of Bismarck, and is included in the ridge, named after the German "Iron Chancellor."
South America:
Aconcagua (6,960 meters)
In South America, the highest point, of course, is in the Andes, and in translation from the languages of local tribes is called "Stone Guard". The peak is not a volcano, although it has a volcanic origin, and its formation began in the Jurassic period.
North America:
McKinley (6,190 meters)
The highest point in North America has a peculiar and unusual shape, consisting of two peaks. The mountain is a single granite block, advanced as a result of tectonic activity in this part of the Earth about 60 million years ago.
Africa:
Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters)
This is the highest point in Africa, in its geological essence, an active stratovolcano, formed about 300 million years ago. But the last eruption, according to experts, occurred about 150 million years ago.
Europe:
Elbrus (5,642 meters)
For justice, we’ll also name the top of Europe, although Europe is not the mainland, but part of the world. Elbrus began to form in the Pliocene period about 2-3 million years ago. The last activity was 800 thousand years ago.
Asia:
Chomolungma (8 848 meters)
The highest point of the planet above sea level in the world is the Chomolungma in the Himalayan mountain range. And it was formed during the period of alpine orogenesis, when active tectonic mountain formation processes took place.
Antarctica:
Despite the fact that the highest point in the world is in Eurasia, the highest continent is Antarctica.
The southern mainland received such an honorary title because its average height is 2,040 meters above sea level. Then, as in other continents, this value is 730 meters.
It is interesting that under the weight of the ice Antarctica caved in half a kilometer deep into the Earth, and if you virtually free it from the ice, it will appear before us as a chain of island archipelagos.
By the way, on thebiggest.ru you can find out about the largest seas of our planet.
Array of vinson
There are mountains in Antarctica. The highest point in the Ellsworth mountain system is the Vinson Massif, 4,892 meters high.
Many mountain systems of Antarctica were formed during the Caledonian orogenesis, approximately 400-500 million years ago. So, the Antarctic platform is the same age as the British Isles and the mountain systems of the Ural-Mongolian belt.
Transantarctic mountains
A few more interesting facts about the mountains of Antarctica. Across the continent lay the longest mountain range in the world. Transantarctic mountains stretch for 3,500 kilometers, and divide the mainland in half.
In addition, it is also one of the most ancient mountains on planet Earth, formed as a result of a tectonic rise and the formation of the West Antarctic Rift.
Conclusion
So we found out which continent is the highest, and along the way some facts from the geological history of the Earth and mountain building processes. The most interesting thing is that the process of Earth formation is not yet completed, and the numerous earthquakes and eruptions of seemingly long extinct volcanoes are a direct confirmation of this.
Article author: Valery Skiba