Mauna Kea vs Mount Everest: Who’s Really Taller in 2025?

Have you ever found yourself deep in thought about which is the tallest mountain in the world? Mauna Kea vs Mount Everest. Well, most people say even without hesitation that Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. Which is so true.

The comparison between Mauna Kea and Mount Everest has become an emerging topic of discussion among parties or gatherings. The concept of the tallest mountain means a peak rising above the world, not one whose half of its height is submerged in the deep ocean.

Everest is visible in all its glory at an elevation of 8,848.86 meters and is the tallest mountain from sea level. If we look at Mauna Kea’s height from sea level, it’s only 4,207 meters above sea level. Even though from the base of the ocean, Mauna Kea’s 10,210 meters, and its height of 6,003 meters, are submerged inside the deep ocean.

Let’s dive deeper into the comparison between Mauna Kea vs Mount Everest:

Inside the Mauna Kea vs Mount Everest Comparison

Location and Height

Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas along the Nepal-China border. It is surrounded by the highest mountains, like Nuptse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Pumori, and so on. Everest is the highest peak above sea level, with a dramatic mountain geography. The Everest region is remote, rugged, and high altitude plateau base.

On the other hand, Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. It stands at a height of 4,207 meters above sea level, but its height from the base of the ocean is 10,210 meters. Mauna Kea’s geography is full of lower forest, alpine areas with different unique species, and the lands are covered by red cinder cones resulting from eruptions.

Geological Features

Everest is roughly 60 million years old. It was formed by the tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The collision resulted in the rise of layered rocks with a composition of metamorphic schists and gneisses, along with sedimentary remains of an ancient seabed at the top of the mountain peak. Everest is consistently growing every year.

In contrast, Mauna Kea is around a million years old. It is a dormant volcano formed by a volcanic eruption when magma beneath the Pacific Plate repeatedly broke through the ocean floor.

Physical Characteristics

Mount Everest has rugged terrain with icy slopes, whereas Mauna Kea has broad, gentle slopes made up of an unlimited flow of Lava. Everest is a steep mountain and has a slope of 35°, which makes the trek and expedition very challenging, but Mauna Kea’s wide, dome-like, and gradual inclination makes the drive and hike comfortable.

The icy and windy landscape with sharp edges and the most dangerous Khumbu glaciers make the navigation and expedition to the Everest summit more technically challenging.

Expedition Difficulty and Accessibility

The Mount Everest expedition is technically challenging, which makes it the toughest climb in the world. An expedition to the top of Mount Everest requires weeks of acclimatization, technical climbing skills, and a well-organized expedition team, and you need to overcome challenges like the Khumbu Glacier, thin air, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable weather.

The high risk of altitude sickness, high altitude, crevasses, and threats of avalanches on the way could even take a life. Likewise, the Mauna Kea ascent is very accessible, and one can reach the top via driving and 6 to 8 hours of hiking. The road is quite steep, but four-wheel vehicles can easily take you to the summit.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

Both mountains hold deep spiritual and cultural significance to their natives. Everest symbolises strength, purity, and the connection between heaven and earth, and is known as the Mother Goddess of the World. Tibetans call it Chomolungma, while it’s called Sagarmatha in the Nepali language. You need to perform a puja ceremony for climbing as per the new rules.

Mauna Kea is also a sacred mountain for Hawaiian natives, and it symbolises ancestral power, gods, and celestial forces. It is also known as white mountain and is a place where earth meets sky. There are different Hawaiian religious sites, altar platforms, and burial caves where locals perform their rituals and offerings.

Scientific Importance

Everest is a high-altitude mountain that serves as a natural laboratory. Different kinds of studies related to climate, geology, and human physiology can be performed by scientists and researchers. You can also analyse global warming by studying Sagarmatha’s glaciers. The fossil of marine in the peak of Everest shows that this highest peak in the world was once beneath the ocean.

Similarly, Mauna Kea also holds scientific importance related to astronomy and geology.  The clear skies above this mountain are an ideal location for studying distant galaxies, exoplanets, and cosmic phenomena. A geologist can study the ocean islands and how long the evolution of Earth’s crust has been.

Tourism

Everest is popular for peak climbing and other thrilling trekking to the EBC. Other expeditions like Lobuche Peak Climbing, Island Peak Climbing have also attracted the hearts of adventure enthusiasts all around the world. The Everest region is popular for its unique lifestyles, centuries-old cultures, monasteries, and celebrations, and belongs to the Sherpa people and Tibetan culture. Every year, thousands of trekkers and expeditions enter the Everest region.

Mauna Kea is popular among stargazers and nature enthusiasts. The breathtaking views of sunset and sunrise are perfect for photography enthusiasts. Similarly, it is also best for hiking, doing cultural tours, and observing constellations and galaxies.

Best Season

The ideal season for the Everest expedition is spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to November). The stable weather, clear skies, and hard ice due to extreme cold make it the best season for the Everest expedition and nearby trekking.

Likewise, one can visit Mauna Kea all year round. April and October months mild weather makes the best months to visit due to mild weather. One can explore the Mauna Kea in winter as it offers a rare sight of tropical Hawaii, where palm trees are covered with snow. The flexible access and year-round beauty don’t demand a particular season.

Mauna Kea vs Mount Everest

The difference between Mauna Kea and Mount Everest, in contrast to different factors like location, elevation, type, and age, is given below:

Mauna Kea Vs Mount Everest, Who is The Champion?

When debating about Mount Everest vs Mauna Kea, Everest always wins. The concept of the tallest mountain always refers to Mount Everest, as it stands tall in the Himalayas with an elevation of 8,848.86 meters above sea level. Mauna Kea’s height above sea level is only 4,207 meters, so it doesn’t stand near Mount Everest.

The mountain, which stands tall above sea level, is Mount Everest, whereas Mauna Kea, with most of its height, is submerged in the deep ocean; it can only be called tall if we measure underwater. Mauna Kea can be called a giant in total height of more than 10,000 meters from the base of the Pacific Ocean, but the position of the tallest mountain in the world only belongs to Mount Everest.