Samsarictravelling Blog: 9.4.1 Wisdom and Knowledge Series, post #9. Western knowledge and Science, post #2: Seamounts, and Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Everest.

Wisdom and Knowledge Series, post #9. Western knowledge and Science, post #2 (9.4.1):

Seamount definition:

A seamount is a mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water's surface (sea level), and thus is not an island, islet or cliff-rock.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamount

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The Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain is a mostly undersea mountain range in the Pacific Ocean that reaches above sea level in Hawaii.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian%E2%80%93Emperor_seamount_chain

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Geologically, the main Hawaiian Islands and the Northwest Hawaiian Islands were formed by ‘hotspot’ volcanism that continues today on the island of Hawai‘i. The main Hawaiian Islands are all considered “high” islands, being significantly raised above sea level, and most exhibit both lush mountains and arid plains. The eight islands are: Hawai‘i, Maui, Koho‘olawe, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

Image above: Hawaiian Islands

Source: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/pibhmc/cms/data-by-location/main-hawaiian-islands/

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Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano on the island of Hawaii.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauna_Kea

Image above: Location of Mauna Kea.

Source: https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=332030

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Mount Everest: Highest Altitude

Almost everyone calls Mount Everest "the highest mountain in the world," and climbers from everywhere travel to Everest hoping to earn the distinction of climbing the "World's Highest."

What does "world's highest" really mean?

Mount Everest is called the world's highest mountain because it has the "highest elevation above sea level." We could also say that it has the "highest altitude."

The peak of Mount Everest is 8,850 meters (29,035 feet) above sea level. No other mountain on Earth has a higher altitude. However, some mountains might be considered "taller" (with taller being "the total vertical distance between their base and their summit").

Image above: Everest from Gokyo Ri: A clear-sky view of the Mount Everest summit through a telephoto lens from the summit of Gokyo Ri. Image © iStockphoto / Grazyna Niedzieska.

Mauna Kea: Tallest Mountain

Mauna Kea has an altitude of 4,205 meters (13,796 feet) - much lower than Mount Everest. However, Mauna Kea is an island, and if the distance from the bottom of the nearby Pacific Ocean floor to the peak of the island is measured, then Mauna Kea is "taller" than Mount Everest.
Mauna Kea is over 10,000 meters tall compared to 8,850 meters for Mount Everest - making it the "world's tallest mountain."

Image above: Tallest Mountain: The base of Mauna Kea is about 6000 meters below sea level, and the summit is about 4000 meters above sea level. The distance between the foot of the mountain and the summit is about 10,000 meters. This makes Mauna Kea the "tallest" mountain in the world.

Image above: Astronomical Observatories on Mauna Kea: The summit of Mauna Kea holds other distinctions. In addition to being the summit of the world's "tallest" mountain, it is also the home of the world's largest astronomical observatory. At an elevation of nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, the observatory is above 40% of Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry and almost cloud-free. This makes it an ideal location for an observatory. And, yes, that is snow on the ground in Hawaii - the altitude is high enough and cold enough to accumulate snow. Photo © iStockphoto / GeorgeBurba.

Source: https://geology.com/records/highest-mountain-in-the-world.shtml