Highest Mountain Peak in the World, Top 10 List, Height, Range

The Highest Mountain Peak in the World is the tallest natural point on Earth measured above sea level. It is formed due to the movement and collision of tectonic plates over millions of years. Such high peaks influence climate patterns, support glaciers and give rise to major rivers. They are important in the study of physical geography and environmental processes.

Highest Mountain Peak in the World

Around the world, more than one hundred mountain peaks rise above 7,200 metres above sea level. Most of these extremely high mountains are concentrated in Asia, particularly along the zone where the Indian Plate is pushing against the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic collision has created some of the tallest and youngest fold mountains on Earth, making the region highly significant in physical geography.

List of Highest Mountain Peaks in the World

The highest mountain peaks in the world are briefly discussed below in order of their height above sea level. These peaks are mainly located in Asia and are significant for their geographical features, formation processes and global importance.

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Top 10 Highest Mountain Peaks in the World

1. Mount Everest

• Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world with a height of 8,848.86 metres above sea level.
• It has the highest topographic prominence, which means it rises higher than any other peak on Earth. There is no taller mountain nearby.
• It is situated in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and China (Tibet). It lies within Sagarmatha National Park and Qomolangma National Nature Preserve.
• The mountain was accurately measured in 1856 during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India and was officially named in 1865 after Sir George Everest.
• It is called Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet, reflecting its cultural importance in both regions.

  2. K2

• K2 is the second-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,611 metres above sea level. It is also called Mount Godwin Austen.
• It is popularly known as “The Savage Mountain”.
• It is situated in the Karakoram Range along the border between India and China. Karakoram is known for its rugged and high-altitude terrain.
• K2 has a prominence of about 4,020 metres, which means it rises sharply above the surrounding landscape. 
• The mountain is famous for its extremely steep slopes and harsh weather conditions. Due to its difficult climbing routes, it is considered one of the toughest and most dangerous peaks in the world.
• Compared to Mount Everest, K2 has a higher death rate among climbers and fewer mountaineers have successfully reached its summit.

  3. Kangchenjunga

• Kangchenjunga is the third-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,586 metres above sea level.
• It is located in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Indian state of Sikkim.
• It is known for its remote location, heavy snowfall, and difficult climbing conditions, making it one of the more dangerous high peaks.
• The first successful ascent was made in 1955 by a British team. It is one of the 14 “eight-thousanders,” meaning peaks in the world that are higher than 8,000 metres.

  4. Lhotse

• Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,516 metres above sea level.
• It is situated in the Himalayas on the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.
• Lhotse lies very close (around 2.66 km) to Mount Everest.
• It has two main summits-Lhotse Main and Lhotse Middle.
• The first successful ascent was made in 1956 by a Swiss team, and it is often climbed along with Mount Everest.

  5. Makalu

• Makalu is the fifth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,485 metres above sea level.
• It is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet in the Mahalangur range of the Himalayas.
• The mountain is famous for its sharp ridges and pyramid-like shape, which makes climbing very difficult and risky.
• The surrounding region is rich in biodiversity and is home to endangered animals like the red panda and snow leopard.
• Local communities such as the Sherpa, Rai and Limbu live in this area and consider the mountain spiritually important.

  6. Cho Oyu

• Cho Oyu is the sixth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,201 metres above sea level.
• It lies in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and China and falls under the Khumbu region of Nepal.
• It was first successfully climbed in 1954 by a Swiss expedition team.
• Among the fourteen peaks above 8,000 metres, Cho Oyu is considered comparatively less difficult to climb, though it still requires high-altitude experience.

  7. Dhaulagiri

• Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world, rising to 8,167 metres above sea level.
• It is situated in Nepal.
• It was first successfully climbed in 1960 by a Swiss expedition.
• Dhaulagiri is regarded as one of the more difficult peaks among the fourteen mountains above 8,000 metres due to its steep slopes and harsh weather conditions.

  8. Manaslu

• Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,163 metres above sea level.
• It is located in Nepal in the Himalayas and lies within the Manaslu Conservation Area.
• It was first climbed successfully in 1956 by a Japanese expedition team.
• Manaslu is one of the fourteen peaks above 8,000 metres and is considered challenging due to difficult weather and terrain conditions.

  9. Nanga Parbat

• Nanga Parbat is the ninth-highest mountain in the world, with a height of 8,126 metres above sea level.
• It is located in the western Himalayas in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Kashmir, near a sharp bend of the Indus River. It is considered the westernmost major peak of the Himalayan range.
• Nanga Parbat is famous for its steep faces, technical climbing routes and frequent avalanches, making it one of the more dangerous peaks above 8,000 metres.
• The first successful ascent was made in 1953 by an Austrian expedition team.

  10. Annapurna I

• Annapurna I is the tenth-highest mountain in the world, rising to 8,091 metres above sea level.
• It is situated in Nepal in the Himalayas and lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area.
• Annapurna was first successfully climbed in 1950 by a French expedition, becoming one of the earliest 8,000-metre peaks to be summited.
• It is regarded as one of the most dangerous “eight-thousanders” because of its steep slopes and high risk of avalanches.